Chow says Penang awaits DAP leadership call before equal constituency law move

Batu Kawan, on August 21st — Penang’s Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has stated that the state will wait for a decision from DAP’s national leadership before contemplating an Equal Constituency Development Enactment in Penang. DAP’s national chairman, Gobind Singh Deo, contacted Chow regarding this matter, emphasizing the need for decisions to be coordinated at the national level.

Speaking to reporters following a Renewable Energy Initiatives partnership between McDonald’s Malaysia and TNB at the Batu Kawan Drive-Thru, Chow explained that the matter would be taken up by national leadership, allowing for coordinated decisions. This response came in reaction to calls from Projek Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek SAMA) for Penang and Selangor to introduce legislation ensuring equal constituency development allocations for elected representatives.

Projek SAMA argued that both Pakatan Harapan-led states possess the legislative capacity to guarantee equal allocations for all elected representatives, reducing executive discretion over funds. Regarding opposition assemblymen's allocations in Penang, Chow affirmed that the state government has been providing funds to them for several years.

He noted that opposition representatives frequently raise the issue during State Legislative Assembly sessions, seeking higher allocations. According to Chow, opposition assemblymen currently receive RM60,000 in allocations.