Lim Guan Eng’s call to drop Umno from Penang govt not DAP stance, says Chow Kon Yeow

Lim Guan Eng’s call to drop Umno from Penang govt not DAP stance, says Chow Kon Yeow



Chow Kon Yeow said there had so far been no official directive from the party on the matter and that all parties should await a decision by the PH Presidential Council. — Bernama pic


Summary

• Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow clarified that Lim Guan Eng's challenge to Zahid Hamidi does not reflect the party's official stance.
• Chow stated there is no directive from the party on the matter and urged all to wait for the PH Presidential Council's decision.
• He emphasised that party leaders should follow decisions by the top leadership and avoid issuing confusing statements.

By Malay Mail
First Published: Tuesday, 15 Sep 2026 1:21 PM MYT


BATU KAWAN, Sept 15 — Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chow Kon Yeow stressed that DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng’s call for Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to urge Penang PH to drop Umno from the state government does not represent the party’s official position.

Kon Yeow said there had so far been no official directive from the party on the matter and that all parties should await a decision by the PH Presidential Council, according to a report published by Harian Metro.

He said statements issued by individuals at this point did not represent the party’s official position.

“It is not the party’s position (Lim Guan Eng’s challenge to Ahmad Zahid). For now, there are no party directives.

“Therefore, at this point, we stand by what has already been decided,” he told reporters when asked about the challenge and whether state PH would review its previous decision to accept cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno in the Penang state administration.

Elaborating, Kon Yeow, who is also chief minister, said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook had issued a statement calling on Prime Minister and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to convene a PH Presidential Council meeting to discuss the coalition’s position on the matter.

As such, he said, all party leaders must abide by decisions made by the top leadership and refrain from issuing various statements that could cause confusion.

“We are bound by what is decided by the top leadership, not for individuals at lower levels 😂😂😂 to make various statements.

“We are focusing on the PH Presidential Council. As for the others, we will take note of them,” he said.

Earlier, Guan Eng challenged Ahmad Zahid to urge Penang PH to drop Umno from the state government.

Guan Eng was reported to have said that Ahmad Zahid, who recently challenged the PH-led unity government to remove Umno from the Federal Government, should issue the same challenge in Penang.

Umno currently has representatives in the Penang State Executive Council (Exco), two city councils and state-linked companies.

He said PH could still retain a two-thirds majority in the Penang Legislative Assembly even without the two elected Umno representatives.

He alleged that Umno was taking advantage of what he described as the Penang PH leadership’s hesitation over its role in the state government, while at the same time working with Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Previous media reports said Umno had given the unity government an ultimatum to either hold the 16th General Election to seek a fresh mandate or officially remove Umno from the coalition.

Ahmad Zahid was reported to have said the demand was made after taking into account calls for Umno to no longer remain part of the unity government.

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Kon Yeow, Tokong won't forgive you lah, wakakaka 😂