Lim Guan Eng’s visit to the residence of Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas has sparked fresh speculation that the chief minister was seeking his consent to dissolve the state assembly, to pave way for snap polls in the state.

Lim’s official car was seen entering the governor’s residence Seri Mutiara at 4.30pm today, but the DAP secretary-general denied he was there to seek consent for a snap election in Penang.

His car was seen leaving the residence on Jalan Utama (Scotland Road) about an hour later. A group of 25 photographers tried to flag his car down but Lim’s car sped off.

“I was there in my capacity as chief minister. It was a normal discussion with the governor. I confirm I did not seek dissolution of the state assembly today,” Lim told Malaysiakini.

“The discussions went on for an hour, we discussed many issues related to the state. What we discussed is private and confidential as it is under official secret matters."

Accompanying Lim at the meeting with the governor was Penang state secretary Farizan Darus.

Speculation was rife this morning that Lim would announce he was seeking an audience with the governor to obtain his consent to dissolve the state legislative assembly.

Malaysiakini reported that Lim met with PKR deputy president-cum-Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and national election director Saifuddin Nasution today to discuss the rationale behind DAP’s call for snap polls.

The meeting was a follow-up from yesterday’s discussion among PKR top leaders in Kuala Lumpur, where party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said they were “unconvinced” of DAP’s need for the polls.

Reporters gathered as early at 12 noon at Komtar Level 3, the entrance to the state administrative office, but were barred from proceeding to the 28th floor where Lim’s office is situated.

His office later told reporters to attend a press conference at 2.30pm.

However, Lim only started the press conference at 4pm, accompanied by Pakatan leaders including state executive councillor-cum-Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow, Lim’s political secretary Wong Hon Wai, assemblypersons Teh Lai Heng (DAP-Komtar), Cheah Kah Peng (PKR-Kebun Bunga), Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubok) and Dr T Jayabalan (PKR-Batu Uban).

The press event follows DAP central executive committee’s unanimous decision to call for snap polls to “return the mandate to the people” to pass a verdict on Penang after Lim was slapped with two corruption charges.