PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has hit back at former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, telling him to respect DAP delegates’ decision to remain in the MADANI national unity government.
Chow, a DAP veteran, said the resolution adopted at the party’s special congress reflected the decision of its grassroots and should be respected as a matter of basic political principle.
“It is important to respect the decision made by our delegates (grassroots),” he said.
“We ask Rafizi to respect DAP and the decision of its delegates. That is the basic thing to do, isn’t it?”
He was speaking to reporters after launching the public participation programme for the Draft Penang Structure Plan 2040 here, prepared by the PlanMalaysia Department, formerly known as the Town and Country Planning Department.
DAP has five Federal ministers and 40 Members of Parliament in the MADANI unity government.
Rafizi, who now leads Bersama after leaving PKR, was reported yesterday as saying DAP’s decision to remain in the unity government was expected, claiming that it was difficult for any political party that had “enjoyed” power to simply give it up.
Chow also rejected claims that attendance at the DAP congress was below 50 per cent, saying the gathering was valid because it had fulfilled the party’s quorum requirement.
He said at least 25 per cent of eligible delegates were required for the congress to proceed.
“We had more than 50 per cent and met the quorum requirement,” he said.
“Attendance at party elections is usually around 60 to 70 per cent, while voter turnout in a general election does not necessarily reach the full number either. So, does that mean our general election is invalid because only 65 per cent came out to vote? No,” he added.
On Rafizi’s remarks that Penang’s limited land supply had affected state revenue compared with states such as Johor, Chow said the revised structure plan took into account new development projects that could enhance the state’s revenue potential.
He said land acquisition and the opening up of land for development were continuing for various purposes, including industrial use.
“The reclassification of rural areas as urban areas is also one method of rezoning land use in Penang,” he said.
“The state government maximises the use of existing land to ensure that development delivers the greatest impact for the state, taking into account Penang’s strengths and constraints,” he added. - August 17, 2026
