KUALA LUMPUR: Analysts are at odds over the approach needed by the new Penang DAP chairman in succeeding the ongoing state chief Chow Kon Yeow.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb said a new state chairman needs the character that can be accepted by the multi-ethnics Penangnites, while Professor James Chin from the University of Tasmania's Asia Institute argued that no specific skills are needed as long as the individual receives enough support from the delegates.
According to Chin's observation, the new chairman will not necessarily become the future Penang Chief Minister to avoid any further complications with Chow, who is serving his final term in office.
"It's very clear they want to split it (the position of chief minister and state chairman) because, for example, if the new chairman is pushed for the chief minister position then they will have the problem with Chow.
"However, it is not a new thing (in splitting the position) as when Lim Guan Eng was the Chief Minister, Chow was the Penang DAP chairman," he told the News Straits Times.
When asked whether Chow would become a 'lame duck' chief minister for losing the state chairmanship, Chin refuted the claim as the party already assured him that he would continue to lead the state until the end of this term.
Besides, he also argued that despite DAP National Organising Secretary Steven Sim and Guan Eng's sister Lim Hui Ying being touted as the running candidates to replace Chow, it is still too early to decide who is going to lead the party in Penang after Sept 22 as both of them are part of Guan Eng's faction.
Yesterday, a total of 32 candidates were announced to contest in the Penang DAP state elections with Sim, Hui Ying and State Tourism and Creative Economy chairman Wong Hon Wai were among the favorites to take the helm from Chow after he declined a nomination.
Chow will continue as Chief Minister until the end of his term, according to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke despite by tradition, the state DAP chairman is typically appointed as Chief Minister if the ruling coalition retains power in the next general election.
Last week, former DAP central committee member Datuk Teng Chang Khim reportedly said Chow would become a "lame duck" chief minister when the latter no longer holds the state party chairman post.
Meanwhile, Azmil believed the DAP's approach in administering the state would remain the same despite Chow losing his party position as the new leadership focus is to ensure the current policies are implemented particularly involving the development projects on the island.
He said the approach would be used to maintain the DAP chairman Guan Eng's legacy when he was the Chief Minister from 2008 until 2018.
Thus, he believed that Chow would become a 'lame duck' chief minister after the election as the Penang State Executive Council was filled with Guan Eng's men.
"Chow will become a 'lame duck' chief minister especially since he is surrounded by Guan Eng's people (in the state Exco) which would present him difficulties in leading the state," said Azmil.
Besides, he also said both Sim and Hui Ying also have the big chance to succeed Chow as the state chairman as the latter is more senior at party level and has more experience while Hui Ying has a family tie with Guan Eng.