GEORGE TOWN: Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, who has come under pressure after being forced to field candidates said to be alligned to another camp, has dismissed talks of a coup once the state election results are announced.
Chow, who is bidding for a second term as chief minister, said he is not concerned about threats to his position if the unity coalition wins enough seats to retain power again.
He dismissed claims that he would be overthrown by DAP assemblymen not aligned with him.
Instead, Chow said he was encouraged by the confidence placed in him by not only Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim but also the DAP central leadership.
"Naming the person in charge is helpful. At least people know who is leading the government if a mandate is given," Chow was reported as saying by newsportal Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
It was previously reported that the DAP candidate selection committee had named Chow as the chief minister for a second term if the Pakatan Harapan - Barisan Nasional coalition retains the state in the upcoming state election.
This was announced by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook and later endorsed by Anwar, who later praised Chow for running Penang well.
Anwar said many investors chose to invest in the state under Chow's leadership and this created employment opportunities.
Chow said his focus will be on guiding newcomers from the cohort of fresh faces nominated by coalition parties to stand for election.
"Now that I have been given the mandate to lead if we win, the challenge is to work with a new team of people. It's not just DAP but PKR as well...they have changed a lot of candidates."
DAP is fielding seven first-timers in the state election, with PKR fielding eight and Umno five. There are 40 seats in the state assembly.