CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow of Penang confirmed today that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will finalise its seat negotiations with the state’s Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership in a month for the upcoming state elections.
Talks about seat negotiations between PH and BN have been widespread among Malaysian voters following the formation of a unity government under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after the 15th General Election.
Chow, who is the Penang DAP chairman, stated that although national-level PH leadership has given directives to proceed with seat allocations in the state, no discussions have been held yet.
“After we have held discussions with BN on the seat allocations here in Penang, it will then be reverted to the national leadership for final review before a decision can be made,” Chow said during a press conference at the Penang DAP Convention 2023 held at Butterworth Arena on the mainland.
To commemorate the party’s 57th anniversary this year, a cake-cutting ceremony was held earlier, attended by national and state-level leaders and around 700 delegates.
Chow stated in his speech that this year’s convention would be an opportunity for members to review the past two years and line up strategies to face upcoming challenges, particularly the state elections scheduled to take place within the next 100 days or so.
National DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, secretary-general Anthony Loke, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman and Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain were among the attendees.
In response to a journalist’s question about Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN) aiming to win 14 seats, particularly Malay-majority seats in the upcoming elections, Chow stated that Penang DAP is only focused on retaining the 19 seats.
“So many opposition parties have set their eyes on Penang. This has been the case for a very long time now. It is up to them to plan, but we must not only ensure a win but win handsomely,” Chow added.
The convention was also attended by other notable figures, including Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, Deputy Education Minister II and Penang DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying, Deputy Finance Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Tanjong Bungah assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Bagan Jermal assemblyman Soon Lip Chee, Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin, and others.