GEORGE TOWN – It will be tougher for DAP to continue its winning streak in Penang due to the various political challenges and expectations of the electorate.
Therefore, there is a need to not take any victory for granted and focus on striving harder to meet the needs and expectations of the people here, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
In the last state election, the DAP-led leadership failed to match its 2019 performance, but it still retained a two-thirds majority when it won 29 out of the 40 total state seats.
In 2019, the governing coalition won 37 out of the 40 seats.
In one of his most stirring speeches as the state’s top executive, Chow told an audience that in the weeks leading up to this speech, it was difficult for him to reach his destination.
“I am not talking about the (notorious) traffic jams... I think you know what I am referring to, but I have made it and now it is about delivering our mandate,” Chow said in an apparent reference to speculation that DAP may have wanted a change in the state leadership.
He was addressing a crowd at a thanksgiving dinner hosted by Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo at the Berjaya George Town Hotel here.
In days leading to the selection of party candidates for the 15th state election, Chow was picked to defend his Padang Kota state seat for the fifth time consecutively although there was a barrage of speculation that Chow might be asked to give up his chief minister post.
After some 40 years in politics, Chow said that he hopes the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) unity coalition can deliver their mandate effectively to the people.
He touched on Vision 2030 – a grand master plan to transform Penang into a smart cosmopolitan city with a strong family institution foundation as well as equal emphasis on combating climate change.
“Around 70% of the goals have been met, we need to do more to ensure the vision becomes a reality for all segments of society here.”
Chow said that he is eager to accomplish more accolades for Penang in his second term.
“There will be challenges ahead and we will strive to do our best. We have struggled for years before successfully getting the people’s support. We did not give up on ourselves but continue to work hard for the sake of the people.”
Jagdeep said that it is time to get down to work, saying that his late father’s (Karpal Singh) famous quote was doing the best to serve the people.
Jagdeep is the first Punjabi to hold the DCM II post. – The Vibes, September 2, 2023
