Lim Guan Eng rebukes Penang CM Chow, disputes claim DAP delegates endorsed Umno partnership

George Town, August 14 — Lim Guan Eng has clarified that the decision for Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) to collaborate with Umno in the state government was not discussed at last week’s Penang DAP delegates’ meeting. Lim, who attended the meeting, emphasized that the primary focus of the discussion was whether DAP should remain in the federal government, rather than on Umno’s involvement in Penang.

Neither Lim nor any delegate raised the issue of Umno’s role in the state government, as the meeting's agenda was strictly focused on deliberating on the advantages and disadvantages of staying in Putrajaya.

Lim cautioned Chow Kon Yeow, the Penang PH chairman, against presuming that all Penang delegates supported his decision to work with Umno based on the lack of discussion during the meeting. Lim stressed that only the secretary general, Loke Siew Fook, had the authority to address internal party matters at such a gathering. He also noted that Chow was free to continue working with Umno, despite Umno's role in Lim's defeat in Negeri Sembilan’s Chennah seat, but urged against assuming that Penang delegates had endorsed this decision.

Chow had previously stated that Penang PH intended to maintain its agreement with Barisan Nasional (BN), including Umno, even after Lim's criticisms. In response to Chow’s comments, Lim’s remarks were made the following day. Chow told reporters that the decision to continue working with BN, including Umno, remained Penang PH’s position and was not disputed during the state DAP engagement session, adding that “no one questioned it.”