GEORGE TOWN (Aug 8): Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) has decided to retain the Barisan Nasional (BN) state executive councillor in the state administration until the next general election (GE), said its chairman Chow Kon Yeow.

He said the decision was reached at the Penang PH meeting on Saturday based on the electoral pact between PH and BN formed during the 2023 state election.

“In facing the next GE, we believe there is still room to strengthen cooperation among the component parties and accelerate the reform agenda that forms the basis of PH’s struggle,” he told a press conference after chairing the Penang PH meeting at Wisma DAP here on Saturday.

The BN executive councillor is State Rural Development, Agrotechnology and Food Security Committee chairman Datuk Rashidi Zinol.

Chow, who is also chief minister, said Penang PH had also taken lessons from the results of the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, with every seat in the state to be analysed from various perspectives ahead of the 16th GE.

He said PH would also strengthen its political narrative by acknowledging its weaknesses, making more effective use of digital platforms and engaging more closely with the growing Undi18 voter group.

Chow said the coalition remained confident in its strength, citing the state administration’s stability and integrity, as well as its efforts to drive economic growth, attract investments, create jobs and implement policies benefiting the people.

However, he said the coalition could not afford to be complacent about its performance, as public perceptions and sentiments often changed faster than facts.

In the 2023 Penang state election, PH and BN formed the unity government after winning 29 of the 40 state seats contested, with DAP winning all 19 seats it contested, PKR seven, Amanah one and BN two.

Uploaded by Chng Shear Lane