GEORGE TOWN: The DAP candidate selection committee, which met last night, has decided to name incumbent Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow as the Chief Minister for the second term if the Pakatan Harapan - Barisan Nasional coalition retains the state in the upcoming state election.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook, in a statement on his Facebook page, said the Chief Minister-candidate issue was discussed during the meeting.
"The committee, led by me, with national chairman Lim Guan Eng, national deputy chairman Gobind Singh and national vice-chairmen Nga Kor Miing and M. Kulasegaran had decided unanimously to name Chow as the candidate for the Penang Chief Minister for a second term.
"The decision has been made known to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and he has given his blessing to the decision as the Pakatan Harapan chairman," he said.
The issue of the Penang Chief Minister candidate has been an issue of contention prior to the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.
This followed news reports on a move to oust Chow.
In several days, several names have been thrown into the ring, apparently to replace Chow.
Among them were Loke himself, Gobind, Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying and former Bukit Bendera member of parliament Wong Hon Wei.
Amendments to the Penang state constitution has limited the Chief Minister's post to two terms.
Also, former Chief Ministers, who had served for two terms before or after the amendment of the state constitution, can not be reappointed to hold the position.
Article 7 Clause 2 (a)(ii) of the Penang State Constitution states that the Chief Minister shall be appointed from among individuals who have never at any time held that position for two terms.
Meanwhile, Loke also said that the committee, which is the highest leadership committee in DAP, has also decided on a major renewal in the executive councillors (exco) line-up of the state government that represents DAP should it be given the mandate by the people of Penang to form the next state government.
"The renewal process is a necessity to ensure the continuity and survival of the DAP leadership in Penang and ensure it is younger, dynamic and able to lead Penang towards a more advanced direction in all areas for the prosperity and well-being of the people," he added.
Loke also said that the full list of candidates who would represent DAP in the upcoming state elections would be decided in the next candidate selection committee meeting next week.
"All DAP candidates will be announced no later than a week before nomination day," he said.
Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will have their respective state election.