GEORGE TOWN: Caretaker Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow should be given the freedom to choose his team to lead Penang if the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance retains the state in the state election.
Political analysts believe this was crucial to ensuring that the team could work seamlessly without any friction.
Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Professor Dr P. Sivamurugan said the selection of the state executive councillor lineup should be Chow's prerogative.
He said Chow, who has been named as the chief minister for the second term if the PH-BN alliance retains power in the state, should be accorded the right with the endorsement of the top leadership.
"Factions are normal within political parties, but Chow should be given the freedom to form his own team of people who are able to work with him and the party.
"This will ensure the team can work well and lead the state to greater heights," he told the New Sunday Times.
Political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, echoed the notion, saying Chow should be given the freedom to choose who he can comfortably work with.
"Of course (he should be given the freedom to choose his team).
"It's the chief minister's prerogative to choose his state cabinet," he added.
The NST on Friday reported that intense lobbying was taking place within Penang DAP and PKR, including among the party veterans, as the top leadership of both parties decided on the candidates' list in the upcoming state election.
Sources said at least three state executive councillors each from DAP and PKR would be axed, with another source claiming that five from DAP were on the chopping board.
The three from DAP are reportedly Dr P. Ramasamy, who is also caretaker Deputy Chief Minister II, Chong Eng, who is also DAP women's chief, and Phee Boon Poh, while the three from PKR are Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who is caretaker Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain and Dr Norlela Ariffin.
Another two state executive councillors from DAP are said to be Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee.
Oh said DAP had internal and external reasons for doing so.
"The internal reason is to get rid of some increasingly recalcitrant, old-timer warlords, who may or may not be in sync with the central or state party leadership.
"The external reason is to present a more refreshing lineup for the state election," he said.
Oh described Ramasamy as someone who "speaks the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth".
However, Oh said, this could become a liability for the party.
He added that while the possible removal of some big names could trigger a rift in the party, it would not be the first time DAP has done so.
He said DAP's brand name was strong enough among non-Malays that it could weather any turmoil without much damage, or the damage would be overcome with the party's refreshed outlook.
"This may help the party and the (PH-BN) alliance in a way to ensure victory in the upcoming state election, but not by much.
"The party's margin of victory is nearing the top with not much room for improvement, except perhaps by getting more voters to come out to vote."
Sivamurugan said with DAP's national leadership announcing a major renewal in the Penang government's state executive councillor lineup should the patty retain power, the state DAP was expected to drop a few names to introduce newcomers in the state election.
He said even in the 15th General Election, DAP dropped a few names to introduce newcomers.
He said former DAP state executive councillors would normally be informed ahead of time and they should give way to the new candidates and support them.
"Internal sabotage cannot be ruled out by supporters if that happens at the last minute," he said.
"Nevertheless, what ensures victory in elections is to what extent they are able to minimise the impact of changes and the efficiency of the machinery and campaigning until election day," he said.
He added that those who performed well should be retained.