Penang polls: Chow confident of Pakatan-BN two-thirds majority

GEORGE TOWN – Penang caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow is optimistic that the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) alliance can deliver a two-thirds majority in the state despite growing concerns about the Malay ground here.

Chow told BFM 89.9 that the PH-BN alliance, which he heads in Penang, has the support of voters here because PH has governed Penang for the past 15 years.

PH will campaign hard using its report card in leading the state, whereby 94% of items listed in its 2018 election manifesto have been achieved, Chow said in an interview with the radio station.

“The way forward has also been drawn up,” said Chow in reference to Penang’s Vision 2030 development plan aimed at transforming the state into a global city.

“Apart from achieving many of our goals, there are other factors that we expect to work in our favour. So, I dare to firmly believe that we can win the two-thirds majority in the state.”

PH has retained Penang with a two-thirds majority since the 2013 general election, increasing it to a record high when it won 37 out of the 40 state seats in 2018.

However, it lost three seats when three PH backbenchers defected to the opposition coalition, Perikatan Nasional (PN), in 2020 after the Sheraton Move, which saw PH lose federal power.

Chow said PN itself is not confident of winning Penang based on its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s prediction that the opposition could net 20 seats at best.

“That is not enough to win the state,” said Chow, who is Padang Kota assemblyman. He is also Batu Kawan MP.

BN to contest up to seven seats in Penang

Chow also confirmed that BN is likely to contest up to seven seats. In the last state election, it only won two seats.

Chow also said voting patterns in the 15th general election last November would not be replicated because BN and PH are now not the rivals they were then.

He said voters should be able to see the impact of both coalitions working together in the unity government for the past eight months.

“Also, the last election (GE15) was for parliamentary seats (in Penang). Now the focus is on the state’s performance. Hence, we hope to fare well,” said Chow.

Asked whether he would defend his Padang Kota state seat and if he would continue a second term as Penang chief minister, Chow said he is ready to offer his services but that it is up to his party, DAP, to decide.

Having served as chief minister only since 2018, he is eligible for a second and final term. Penang is the first state in Malaysia to limit the chief ministership to two terms. 

“It is my understanding that I have served one term and there is another,” Chow said. – The Vibes, July 11, 2023