ACRIMONIOUS INTERNAL POLITICS
Despite this, inner conflicts within the DAP in Penang have recently been bitter. Between DAP regional president Lim Guan Eng, who served as the country’s main minister from 2008 to 2018, and his son as the state president Chow Kon Yeow, who has been in charge for a long time, there has been a secret battle for influence.
Lim’s command of Penang was active, with an all-out push to get funding and galvanise the state’s economy. Critics, however, point to a totalitarian bias, regular encounters with civil society organizations, and a preference for large infrastructure projects.
Likewise, Chow’s control design is more lawful. That said, he has been often criticised as to low-profile and yet silent.
The shift from Lim to Chow was generally smooth, mainly due to the former’s continued service as Finance Minister under Pakatan Harapan 1. 0. But, Lim has never held a substantial national place since the Sheraton Move of February 2020, even after the transfer of PH to national control in the late 2022.
He has continued to be effective in Penang’s elections as a result of his concurrent positions as the state representative for Ayer Putih and Member of Parliament for Bagan. Unfortunately, Lim has earned the reputation of de facto leader of the opposition due to his criticisms of the Chow administration regarding water provide and managing the government’s finances.
This fight and Lim’s position within Lim’s regional party led to rumors that Chow did not seek reelection. Unfortunately, a late endorsement by the DAP member collection commission for Chow in the ad hoc state election in August 2023 was expected.
In the end, Chow was elected and was chosen to run for office again. Chow’s social money was squandered as a result of the DAP’s continued control of all of its seats, despite atypical squabbles over candidacy and state cabinet positions.
This is Chow’s last name as a result of a 2018 article to the state law that forbids any assemblyperson from running for a second term. However, he was expected to challenge for the State Committee in next week’s elections. But, on Sep 4, Chow announced that he would not get running, properly ending his 25-year leadership of the party in Penang.
In September, 1, 452 group members from 296 trees cast their votes for 15 council members out of a total of 31 individuals.