GEORGE TOWN: The state Pakatan Harapan has announced three newly formed sub-committees to support the coming 16th General Election (GE16).
Penang Pakatan chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Zairil Khir Johari (DAP) will head the election manifesto committee, Lee Boon Hong (PKR) will head the information committee and Zahar Zainul (Amanah) the mobilisation committee.
He said some of the focuses will include exploring ways to boost low voter turnout and raising awareness of the impending GE16.
"While we have not gone into detail, we have discussed the current political landscape, which is increasingly challenging and uncertain.
"The country's political scene and developments at the national level are capable of shifting rapidly, directly impacting all states, including Penang,” Chow said
He added that Pakatan’s priority was to further strengthen the party internally in light of ongoing political uncertainties.
"This includes preserving unity within the party, reinforcing organisational discipline, empowering the grassroots machinery and hearing the voices of the people in order to resolve their problems and ensure the continued stability of the state’s future," he said during a press conference held after the state Pakatan Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday (May 23) at Wisma DAP here.
Chow, who is also the Penang Chief Minister, said the AGM included the appointment of the new state Pakatan committee line-up for 2026, with him still helming the committee for the year.
The deputy chairmen this term are Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Rahman (PKR), Steven Sim (DAP) and Muhammad Faiz Fadzil (Amanah), while the vice chairmen are Ramkarpal Singh (DAP), Dr Zaidi Zakaria (Amanah) and Goh Choon Aik (PKR). Lim Hui Ying (DAP) will serve as secretary.
"Our biggest challenge heading into the next election is not just the strength of political opponents but whether the people still have confidence that Pakatan is capable of continuing to govern the state effectively.
"The future of the state should not be jeopardised by politics rooted in hatred and division," Chow said.
When asked about working with Barisan Nasional (BN), Chow said they were aware of ongoing issues with BN in other states, which were highlighted during the national Pakatan convention recently.
"The focus was mostly on the situation in Johor and Negri Sembilan, but Penang will monitor the situation closely and make preparations in all the areas we have contested," he said.
