FORMER finance minister and DAP veteran Lim Guan Eng has fired back at Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, accusing him of confusing party delegates over Penang Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) decision to accept UMNO into the state government.
The public clash follows statements by Chow claiming that delegates raised no objections to UMNO’s involvement during a closed-door DAP Penang gathering attended by Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
Clarifying the session, Lim stated that delegates remained silent on UMNO’s state role simply because the meeting’s sole agenda was whether DAP should remain in or withdraw from the federal government.
“Neither I nor any party delegate raised this Penang PH decision during the meeting principally because its sole agenda was whether DAP should leave or stay in the federal government,” Lim emphasised, pointing out that Loke was the only national leader who addressed the floor.
Lim criticised Chow for publicly disclosing internal details of a closed-door meeting, reminding the Penang PH Chairman that commenting on such proceedings is the sole prerogative of the DAP Secretary-General.
Lim also questioned Penang PH’s failure to defend DAP and PKR against recent “baseless attacks” by Penang UMNO leaders – who alleged both parties were engaging in identity politics.
He noted that UMNO’s political manoeuvres played a major role in Loke’s defeat in the Chennah state seat during the Negeri Sembilan state polls.
Stressing that silence does not equal endorsement, Lim challenged Chow to call a dedicated Penang DAP delegates’ meeting specifically on PH’s unconditional backing of UMNO.
Such a session, Lim argued, would allow delegates to express their true sentiments on whether this approach adequately defends the state government’s honour and dignity.
The two leaders previously sparred in the Penang state assembly over the cancelled Batu Kawan Industrial Park 2 land tender involving the Penang Development Corp.
During the debate, Chow defended the state’s handling of the aborted proposal and rebuked Lim, telling him he trusted external reports over his own party comrades.
Lim and Chow were also engaged in a public political spat over steep, revised land tax (quit rent) hikes taking effect in Penang.
Lim criticised the increases – which surged by hundreds or thousands of times for rural villagers and low-cost strata owners – as unjust, prompting party intervention. — Aug 15, 2026
Main photo credit: Malaysiakini
