Lim Guan Eng rebukes Penang CM Chow, disputes claim DAP delegates endorsed Umno partnership

— Lim Guan Eng has clarified that Penang Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) decision to work with Umno in the state government was not discussed at last week’s Penang DAP delegates’ meeting. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

By Malay Mail

First Published: Friday, 14 Aug 2026 5:13 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 14 — Lim Guan Eng has clarified that Penang Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) decision to work with Umno in the state government was not discussed at last week’s Penang DAP delegates’ meeting.

Lim said the meeting, attended by current secretary general Loke Siew Fook, focused solely on whether DAP should remain in the federal government, and not on Umno’s role in Penang.

He stressed that neither he nor any delegate raised the matter, as the agenda was confined to debating the pros and cons of staying in Putrajaya.

“However Chow should not presume that all Penang delegates endorsed his decision merely because no one raised it at Wednesday’s meeting when the Penang DAP delegates were focused on whether to stay or leave the Federal government in Putrajaya,” Lim said.

He criticised Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow for commenting publicly on internal party discussions, saying only the secretary general had the prerogative to do so.

Lim added that Chow was entitled to continue working with Umno despite the party’s role in defeating Loke in Negeri Sembilan’s Chennah seat, but cautioned against assuming Penang delegates had endorsed the decision.

Lim’s remarks came a day after Chow said Penang PH was sticking with its decision to continue working with Barisan Nasional (BN), including Umno, despite Lim’s criticism.

Chow told reporters yesterday that the decision remained Penang PH’s position and was not challenged during the state DAP engagement session, adding that “no one questioned it”.