GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state assembly will be dissolved effective tomorrow, paving the way for the state election.
In his special address in conjunction with the dissolution of the state assembly, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang witnessed yet another important marker in history when it returned its five-year mandate back to the people.
"What is certain is that we have proven that we have never misused the trust given to us.
"We have proven that we have and will always carry the mandate given, ensuring that no one is left out or marginalised, the principle of a welfare state that is always a guiding principle.
"And surely we will build together in the social and economic growth of the beloved state of Penang," he said.
Chow said many memories were created in the last five years, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Today, I stand here to share with you the latest on our achievement in terms of the manifesto promised in the 2018 general election.
"As of June this year, a total of 61 items of the manifesto have been met, which translated into 92.4 per cent," he added.
According to Chow, Penang is expected to face five major challenges come 2030, which include water resources, land for development, skill, climate change and economy.
"As such, if given the mandate to rule Penang for the next five years, we will address all these concerns.
"Who said we did not carve any achievements? Who criticised that we had been slow?
"If indeed all these accusations were true, then we would not be able to be recognised as the 'country's investment champion' with total investment of RM200 billion in the past 15 years.
"And the latest, shared by the Department of Statistics Malaysia this afternoon, Penang's economy
achieved first place with a growth of 13.1 per cent last year compared with 6.9 per cent the previous year.
"With this success, it is proven that we can lead Penang to the world stage. What is certain is that we can do it again," he said.
This morning, Chow obtained the consent for the dissolution from Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak during an audience in Seri Mutiara.
The current state assembly term would have automatically dissolved on Aug 2.
Besides Penang, the five other states which did not dissolve their respective assemblies during the 15th General Election were Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
In the 2008 and 2013 state elections, the then-Pakatan Rakyat captured 29 and 30 seats respectively to form the state government.
In 2018, Pakatan Harapan, then combined with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, won 37 seats, leaving Umno with two seats and Pas with one.
DAP won 19 seats, followed by PKR with 14 and two each for Amanah and Bersatu.