[UPDATED] GE15: setback for Penang DAP as chairman down with Covid-19

GEORGE TOWN – Penang DAP has suffered a setback when its chairman Chow Kon Yeow tested positive for Covid-19 as he shared his test results on his Facebook page.

He was expected to lead the charge for the 13 parliamentary seats in the 15th general election.

However, he did not disclose how many days he would be in self-quarantine or whether his close contacts were required also to undergo testing.

Chow, who is Penang’s chief minister, said he has received advice and medication from his medical team, and urged everyone to be mindful of the spread of Covid-19.

“I hope everyone is in good health and we should continue to adhere to the SOPs for our own safety as well as the community and state.”

Chow is contesting in Batu Kawan as incumbent Kasthuri Patto is not defending the parliamentary seat.

In an interview, he said that the seat is a challenge, but the area remains the future of the state’s development.

Meanwhile, in Bukit Mertajam, state Barisan Nasional liaison chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir announced that the coalition’s candidates for the 13 seats in Penang will be revealed tonight.

He told a press conference here that he does not expect any surprises in the line-up except that 70% would be new faces, and candidates are not related to each other.

He said this in reference to Penang DAP announcing party chairman Lim Guan Eng will defend his Bagan seat, whereas his sister Lim Hui Ying is contesting Chow’s Tanjong seat.

Previously, former party chairman Karpal Singh had his youngest son Ramkarpal Singh Deo contest a parliamentary seat at Bukit Gelugor, while his eldest son Jagdeep Singh Deo vied for the Datuk Keramat state seat in the 2018 election.

Musa, aged 73, who is not expected to be featured as a candidate here due to the age factor, said the BN parliamentary candidates are young and eager to serve but most importantly, they have a track record in their respective communities.

He said the BN machinery should be ready now to be mobilised to assist in the campaigning. – The Vibes, November 1, 2022