{
  "id": 7239258,
  "title": "Lim Guan Eng calls Zahid's bluff over Umno's role in Penang",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/lim-guan-eng-calls-zahids-bluff-over-umnos-role-in-penang",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T03:38:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1532415/lim-guan-eng-calls-zahids-bluff-over-umnos-role-penang"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In George Town, DAP's Lim Guan Eng has challenged Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to force Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) to expel Umno from the state government. Lim questioned why Zahid lacked courage to demand the same of Penang PH. The People's Alliance (PH) would retain a two-thirds majority in the Penang Legislative Assembly even without Umno's two elected representatives, Lim noted. Umno holds positions in the Penang state executive council, two city councils, and state-linked companies. Lim accused Umno of exploiting what he called the Penang PH leadership's hesitation regarding its role in the state government while collaborating with Perikatan Nasional. PH supporters believe Umno and Pas will perpetuate extremist politics and divisive rhetoric to seize power at any cost, Lim stated. Media reports claimed Umno had given the unity government an ultimatum: hold the 16th general election to seek a mandate or formally expel Umno from the coalition. Zahid stated the demand followed discussions on the need to reconsider Umno's involvement in the unity government.",
  "summary": "GEORGE TOWN: DAP’s Lim Guan Eng has called Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s bluff, challenging him to push Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) to remove Umno from the state government.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Zahid perlu berdepan realiti dalam Umno",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/zahid-perlu-berdepan-realiti-dalam-umno",
        "published": "2026-09-14T01:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Lim Guan Eng dares Zahid, demands Penang Pakatan expel Umno and defer hikes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/lim-guan-eng-dares-zahid-demands-penang-pakatan-expel-umno-and-defer",
        "published": "2026-09-14T07:51:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}