DAP tasks Chow with training successor for next Penang CM

DAP has tasked Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow with preparing a successor.

Party secretary-general Anthony Loke said this is to ensure a smooth transition after the next state election.

"There is one very important task for Chow, that is, to prepare a successor for the next election.

"Transition and succession are very important, to make sure that the foundations are in place.

"We want to make sure that DAP can give rise to a third Penang chief minister," Loke (above) said at the Penang DAP convention today.

Chow is serving his second and final term as Penang chief minister.

The state has a two-term limit for the chief minister's post.

Earlier, Loke also quashed speculation of a plot to oust Chow.

"There is no gerakan (movement) to topple Chow because in Penang there is no Gerakan," he said, while taking a jab at DAP rival Gerakan - which governed the state for 39 years before it was ousted in 2008.

Prior to the state election campaign in July, speculation was rife that there were internal efforts to replace Chow as DAP's candidate for chief minister.

However, the party leadership ultimately endorsed Chow to return to office.

Despite this, in October, Chow had hinted that the movement to oust him was still ongoing, while calling for his enemies to return to the fold.

DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng - who was Chow's predecessor as chief minister - demanded proof that such a movement existed.

Chow later reportedly backtracked on his claims and said he was referring to pre-election circumstances.

In his speech today, Loke called on the Penang chief minister to ignore "rumours" and "rubbish".

He assured that DAP wants Chow to serve his second term to the fullest.

Meanwhile, the DAP secretary-general also made a call for the party and its members to maintain discipline.

"Don't backstab, and don't stab from the front either. If there is a problem, point it out.

"We don't want a backstabbing or front-stabbing culture in our party," he said.

He also said that Penang state assemblypersons from the government bench would not be restricted by a whip and that they would be free to bring up any issues in the state legislative assembly.

He said this would allow backbenchers to also serve as a check and balance to the state government.

"Ask whatever you want to ask," Loke said.

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