Wakil tunggal BN dalam kerajaan P Pinang mahu kerjasama dengan PH diteruskan

Chief Minister and Pakatan Harapan (PH) Pulau Pinang Chairman Chow Kon Yeow stated last month that PH Pulau Pinang unanimously decided to retain the sole Barisan Nasional (BN) Exco member, Rashidi Zinol, in the state administration. (Photo of Rashidi Zinol) Located in Petaling Jaya, the sole BN representative in the Pulau Pinang government urged further cooperation between the two parties, emphasizing their collaboration as a means to build and benefit the state.

Exco member for Rural Development, Agrotechnology, Food Security, and Entrepreneurship, Rashidi Zinol, said he has not encountered any problems with cooperation from PKR and DAP colleagues during his three years as an Exco member. The Sungai Acheh MP claimed that the working relationship was based on mutual respect, understanding, good communication, and a shared focus on the people's interests and state development.

In a statement today, he noted that differences in party backgrounds should not hinder cooperation when the main goal is to ensure the state administration operates effectively and benefits the people. Rashidi stated that the cooperation between PH and BN established in Pulau Pinang since the 2023 PRN was a legitimate political understanding to be valued and strengthened.

The statement was made in response to repeated urging from DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng for Umno to be removed from the Pulau Pinang government after BN continued to work with the National Harmony Party (PN) in Negeri Sembilan. However, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who also chairs PH Pulau Pinang, said the PH state leadership has not yet received any instructions on this matter from the central leadership.

Emphasizing that the state leadership will respect the decision to retain Rashidi in governance, Chow also urged party leaders to give space to the PH State Council to discuss the increasingly tense relations between PH and BN. In his statement today, Rashidi also expressed support for efforts to maintain and strengthen the unity government until his term ends, saying that step is necessary to ensure political stability, continuity of foundations, and continuous focus on the development and well-being of the people.

"Political stability is not just about the party or position, but about our ability to cooperate, respect differences, and resolve issues affecting the people," he said. "Good cooperation must continue. Differences can be felt, but the people's interests must always be prioritized."