{
  "id": 304625,
  "title": "BN to stay in Penang govt, says Chow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/bn-to-stay-in-penang-govt-says-chow",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T09:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/08/bn-to-stay-in-penang-govt-says-chow"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Penang's chief minister, Chow Kon Yeow, announced that the state's Penang PH government will maintain its cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) despite the latter's recent alliance with opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Negeri Sembilan. The decision was unanimously made by the leadership of Penang PH. Rashidi Zinol, who represents Sungai Acheh, will continue to serve as the sole executive councillor for BN in the state administration, acting as chairman of the rural development, agro technology, food security and entrepreneurship committee. This move aligns with the electoral pact between PH and BN that was made during the 2023 state election. Chow also mentioned that BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has pledged to support the federal unity government until its term ends. The development comes amidst escalating tensions between PH and BN following their losses in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, where PN managed to gain ground at the expense of PN in multiple seats in Johor, and both coalitions united in Negeri Sembilan. Lim Guan Eng, the predecessor of Chow, had previously urged the Penang PH leadership to \"act decisively\" due to PN's close ties with Umno.",
  "summary": "Chow Kon Yeow says this was the unanimous decision of the Penang Pakatan Harapan leadership.",
  "key_points": [
    "Penang PH government to continue cooperation with BN.",
    "Rashidi Zinol to lead BN committee in Penang administration.",
    "BN pledges support to federal unity government until term ends."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Chow stresses Penang Pakatan unity, BN exco retained as coalition eyes next GE",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/chow-stresses-penang-pakatan-unity-bn-exco-retained-as-coalition-eyes",
        "published": "2026-08-08T12:21:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}