GEORGE TOWN: Penang Pakatan Harapan has yet to decide whether Umno will remain in the state unity government following Barisan Nasional's growing cooperation with Perikatan Nasional, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said the matter had not been discussed but would likely be raised at Penang Pakatan Harapan’s meeting on Aug 8.
"We will hold a meeting to receive reports from the subcommittees of Penang Pakatan as part of preparations for the coming general or state election. I believe the issue of Umno or Barisan Nasional's position in the Penang government will be discussed," he told reporters in a press conference at Komtar on Monday (Aug 3).
Responding to PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s claim, Chow said every coalition was free to adopt its own election strategy but stressed that it would ultimately be up to voters to decide.
"For Pakatan Harapan in Penang, we will continue our development agenda. We have always been an inclusive government that looks after the welfare of all and develops the state for everyone.
"We hope voters, regardless of race or religion, will judge the state government's performance when deciding whether to give us another mandate in the next state or general election," he said.
Earlier, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari claimed the Pakatan Harapan government was "at the end of its tether" and predicted that a Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional alliance could wrest Penang in the next election.
When asked whether identity-based politics could succeed in Penang, Chow said any party was free to employ whatever strategy it wanted.
"They can use whatever strategy they want, including in Penang. In the end, it is the voters who will decide," he said.
When asked if the Penang State Assembly would dissolve should a general election be called soon, Chow said politics was fluid, and all possibilities had to be considered.
"Politics changes every day, so we have to consider all possibilities," he said.
