GEORGE TOWN: After 25 years of helming DAP in Penang, its chairman Chow Kon Yeow has said that he will not be running in the upcoming state party elections on Sept 22.
Chow said that he received the nomination letter from the party on Aug 27 and decided to not accept it to contest.
"When I was reappointed as the Penang Chief Minister after the state general election in 2023, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook instructed me to work on a succession plan.
"As such I have decided to take the first step in this succession plan to pave the way for a new leader to be elected as the new Penang DAP state chairman in the 2024 state committee election," said Chow.
He added that the timing is perfect because the new Penang DAP state chairman will have more than three years to lead and prepare the party to face the next general election," said Chow in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 4).
Chow added that he trusts that the delegates will elect a strong state committee to continue the party’s political mission in Penang, and thanked the party and its members for supporting him during his 25 years as the party's state chairman.
"I thank the people of Penang for their support and fighting spirit throughout my tenure," he said.
Prior to holding the chairman's post, Chow was the party state secretary for eight years and the assistant secretary for two years.
Asked if this decision would affect his chief minister's post, Chow said his position was up to the party to decide.
"During my appointment as the chief minister, Loke did say it is for the full term and that there will not be any mid-term change," said Chow, who is also the DAP national vice-chairman.
Chow has served as the Penang DAP chairman since 1999 and as the party’s national vice chairman since 2004.
Traditionally, the state party chairman also holds the chief ministership.
Penang has set a two-term limit for the chief ministership since 2018, and this is Chow’s second term as chief minister.
Chow had previously announced his decision to retire after completing his second term as chief minister.
