Guan Eng to be Penang CM

PENANG: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng will be the state’s fourth chief minister, replacing Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. 

Lim announced the new DAP-PKR coalition government’s decision at a press conference at 1am early this morning. 

“I appreciate and am honoured by the support and trust of PKR towards me and my party to lead the state as the next chief minister. I also hope that the PAS elected representatives will help with this new government. 

“Dr Koh has conceded defeat and has agreed to hand over power to the new government,” he said, stressing that the next state government would be formed with the full cooperation of PKR.  

“We are humbled by our win and pledge not to disappoint the people of Penang.  

“We also want to stress that the new government will be for Malaysians of all races. We will be fair, just and not discriminate against anyone – offering assistance to all in need. 

“Talented Penangites can expect equal opportunity from a coalition that is united by a common love for democracy that respects basic human rights, political equality and socio-economic justice,” he said urging everyone to “respect the wishes of the people.” 

“This is a victory for the people. We congratulate Barisan Nasional on their victories and hope that they will be a responsible and constructive Opposition,” he said, pledging to consult all relevant groups for input on the state’s development. 

Lim also urged all its supporters to stay calm and refrain from holding victory celebrations, as the party itself would not be doing so. 

State PKR chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said the DAP-PKR partnership was a true reflection of multiculturalism. 

“Like the DAP, we are committed to creating a truly democratic system of governance and we fully support Lim as the next chief minister.” PKR won nine state seats and four parliamentary seats while the DAP made a clean sweep of its 19 state seats and seven parliamentary seats.  

Lim, accompanied by about 20 party officials and winning candidates from DAP and PKR, later met with state secretary Datuk Jamaludin Hasan to discuss the formation of the new state government. 

He also called on Dr Koh who was at Komtar packing his personal items at his office. 

Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said he, Lim, party deputy secretary-general Chong Eng, Zahrain and Dr Ramasamy, who beat Dr Koh in Batu Kawan , will call on Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abas at 5pm today. 

He said they hoped the new government would be sworn in in one or two days.