Penang Pakatan sticking with BN, Umno despite criticism, says Chow Kon Yeow

George Town, August 13 — Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) remains committed to working alongside Barisan Nasional (BN), including Umno, despite criticism from DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng, according to state PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow. Chow affirmed that the decision to continue collaboration with BN and Umno will not be questioned, as no one raised objections during an internal DAP meeting held in Penang yesterday.

However, he could not confirm if objections originated from a single individual or multiple sources outside the meeting, stating he was unsure about this matter. Lim had previously questioned Penang PH's decision to cooperate with BN and Umno amid unfriendly attacks on DAP and PKR. He accused Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, a Bertam assemblyman, of making baseless allegations against DAP and PKR regarding identity politics, but Reezal denied exploiting identity politics during the recent Negeri Sembilan state election.

Chow acknowledged that Penang PH decided to maintain its cooperation with BN and Umno, retaining BN's sole state executive councillor, Datuk Rashidi Zinol. Additionally, Chow confirmed that DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke participated in the state DAP internal engagement session held in Penang yesterday. Loke has been meeting DAP members in various states ahead of the party's national congress, where delegates will deliberate on the party's continued participation in the federal unity government.