Guan Eng: Umno no longer brings value to Penang government amid cooperation with Perikatan, PAS

Lim Guan Eng said Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chow Kon Yeow appeared more focused on criticising him than addressing Umno’s recent attacks on PH. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

By Malay Mail

First Published: Wednesday, 16 Sep 2026 1:08 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 16 — DAP’s Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng has questioned the continued presence of Umno in the Penang unity government, saying the party has “no more value” to the administration when it is simultaneously working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PAS.

Lim said Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chow Kon Yeow appeared more focused on criticising him than addressing Umno’s recent attacks on PH, creating what he described as an impression that Chow feared Umno might quit the state government.

He stressed that his earlier remarks were aimed at Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, whom he accused of lacking the courage to challenge Penang PH to remove Umno from the state government — as Zahid had done at the federal level — rather than at Chow.

“Instead of hitting back at Umno for working with the opposition PN, Chow chose to criticise me,” Lim said, adding that Penang PH leaders should not be afraid of offending “an extremist Umno” that he claimed had indulged in divisive rhetoric against non-Muslim minorities and shown little inclusivity toward non-Malays.

Lim also pointed to Umno’s boast that it contributed to the defeat of DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook in the Chenaah seat during the recent Negeri Sembilan election, arguing that DAP leaders had every right to rebut Umno’s allegations against PH and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Chow may prefer DAP leaders to stay silent, but there was “no gag order” from Loke.

Lim urged Penang PH leaders to take a clear stand on whether Umno should remain in the state administration and convey that position to the coalition’s central leadership.

“Has PH or Chow no firm position after all the attacks by Umno in their recent General Assembly?” he asked.

He claimed Umno was holding on to its positions in the state executive council, the two city councils and state-linked companies because it knew it would have little political impact if it left. Even without Umno’s two assemblymen, Lim said, PH would still command a two‑thirds majority in the Penang legislative assembly.

Lim warned that retaining Umno could damage public perception of Penang PH’s leadership, arguing that the coalition must recognise that “the greatest enemy is the enemy within”.

“PH Penang leaders should wake up to the reality that there is no more value for Umno to remain in the Penang state government when Umno can work actively with PN and PAS from within,” he said.