BUTTERWORTH – Penang DAP leadership has called on members to brace themselves to overcome a possible political crisis brought about by the upcoming state election.
State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow reminded delegates at the party’s annual Penang convention here today that he had spoken about three crises last year – the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic difficulty that it ushered in, and the political instability due to rapid changes in the federal government.
Although Covid-19 and the recession have been dealt with, Penang may soon face a political crisis related to the state polls that are due by the middle of the year.
Chow, who is also Penang chief minister, described the challenges ahead as great in terms of the politics of hatred which rival parties are spewing in order to influence the voters to hate the current government led by Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also told the delegates at the Butterworth Arena here that rising living costs would be an issue in the state elections.
According to Chow, Penang saw an impressive rebound in handling public healthcare and the economy, but it needs to overcome a political crisis fuelled by exploitation of racial and religious polemics.
Chow said a survey by the state showed that 82% of the respondents in Penang thought that the DAP-led state government did well in managing the Covid-19 crisis.
And at the same time, the state recorded its highest ever direct investment flow (it attained RM76.2 billion in 2021) and this investment drove up the business activities in the state in areas of manufacturing and services.
Referring to services, Chow stressed tourism as one of the pillars of the state’s economy.
This was evident as Penang experienced daily traffic congestion, especially at the tourism spots, said Chow.
“Our services sector registered a spectacular growth, especially in tourism,” he said.
Earlier, Chow together with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, state DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying and other state leaders cut a large birthday cake to mark the 57th anniversary of the party. – The Vibes, March 19, 2023
