PKR's stand that it remains unconvinced over the need for a snap polls in Penang is a slap for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, said state Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman.

He said this showed only the 18 Penang DAP assemblypersons backed the proposal, and that DAP was trying to drag the people into its own problems.

"This is a big blow to DAP and Lim's ego because they failed to gain support from their main partner to hold a snap election.

"Lim's failure mars his dignity and credibility as DAP secretary-general and Penang chief minister as well as erodes the people's trust and confidence in him as a top leader in an opposition party," he added in a media statement.

With PKR and BN not backing the move, Zainal said the majority of the Penang state legislative assembly members did not support dissolution.

"This means Lim has lost the House's confidence and is facing a credibility and confidence crises as chief minister," he added.

Zainal said the snap polls proposal was a desperate move by Lim and DAP who are "panicking" over the corruption charges against the chief minister.

"Lim's attempt to drag the people into his personal problems has clearly failed, so he should make the dignified decision to let go of his position as chief minister immediately," he added.

Yesterday, PKR said it would send a delegation to Penang to discuss the matter whereas Lim is scheduled to hold a press conference on the stalemate this afternoon.

DAP earlier justified the call for a snap polls as a means to give the electorate a say in what it described as Lim's "political victimisation".

PKR has 10 seats in Penang, and some pundits have predicted the possibility of the party losing in Malay-majority constituencies should a snap polls be called.