Kon Yeow Says Penang Poll Decision Depends On Constitution And Party Leadership
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the decision on whether the Penang state election will be held concurrently with the next general election will depend on both the state constitution and the position taken by party leadership.
He said this while responding to a question from Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng during the Penang state legislative assembly sitting today.
According to Chow Kon Yeow, the matter cannot be decided unilaterally as it requires consideration from both legal and political perspectives.
“We need to look at this from two angles — one based on the constitution and another based on the political party’s position,” he said.
He explained that advice from the state legal adviser would be sought regarding constitutional matters, while the political direction would depend on guidance from the party’s national leadership.
In his response, Lim Guan Eng acknowledged the constitutional considerations but pointed out that the final authority still lies with the chief minister.
He also reminded the assembly about the position previously announced by Democratic Action Party secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who stated that state and general elections should be held simultaneously in accordance with the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The debate later turned light-hearted when Pinang Tunggal assemblyman from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, Bukhori Ghazali, interjected in Hokkien with a phrase implying that it would be problematic whether one speaks up or remains silent.
The remark drew laughter from lawmakers before Chow Kon Yeow corrected the phrase and translated it into Malay.
He said the more accurate phrase would mean “it is difficult if you act, and even more difficult if you do not,” summarising the dilemma surrounding the issue.
He concluded by reaffirming that any final decision would ultimately depend on the direction and approval of the party leadership.
-wilayah.com.my
