GEORGE TOWN, NOV 29 – Penang DAP State chairman Chow Kon Yeow urged all member to stay united and stay focus as a ruling party at the opening of the State Ordinary Convention of the Penang DAP which held at the Equitorial Hotel on this morning.
He said this year was marks as the 50th year of the formation of the DAP in Malaysia and Penang. He said the political struggle of the party has been marked with the achievements, failures, successes, solidarity, disunity even crises before culminating in winning power in Penang.
“Over the past 50 years, we believe in building consensus in the party to formulate policies and direction that can lead the people forward. Although our political enemies want the party to fail, but we will not let them achieve their evil plans to topple us from government,” said Chow.
“This year has been a very challenging. It is in such times that the party is put to test. The formation of the Pakatan Harapan opens up to the opportunity to mobilize all Opposition supporters to fight UMNO and BN in the 14th general election. Although DAP has declared our commitment to Pakatan Harapan because it is no longer possible to have a genuine working relationship with PAS,” he said.
“To make Pakatan Harapan viable, we call upon our partners PKR and Amanah to share this commitment of ours so as we can defeat UMNO and BN and their allies in the next general election. As the geberal election draws nearer, the state Opposition is attempting to make a comeback by highlighting issues such as foreign investment, housing, illegal hill clearing, traffic congestion, sea reclamation and environment issues,” he added.
Chow said the party and Sate Government must face these challenges as a united team and he believe that they can answer all the allegations. He said under the leadership of the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the Penang State government has continued to deliver sterling performances to the people, whether in achieving economic and investment growth, housing and infrastructural development, good governance and a clean administration, social and education programme or municipal and environmental initiatives.
He said DAP will continue to support as a Penang Chief Minister although there was a protest in this morning at outside the Hotel. However, the party must be vigilant against the attempts by the Federal government and Barisan Nasional to stifle the growth of the Penang.
“For instance, in the 2016 Federal Budget and the 11th Malaysian Plan, it is increasingly clear that our State has been sideline and marginalised as very few projects have been approved for Penang. Party leaders who are running the State Government have to shoulder this great responsibility to grow Penang despite an uncooperative Federal government,” said Chow.
“It is not going to be easy and we need all to work together as a team to deliver results. The party must continue to ensure organisational growth and financial stability to maintain our strength. The party leadership must ensure members are imbued with the party’s founding principles and ethics of conduct,” he said.
“By far the party’s political conscience has never been challenged in over 50 years of political struggle. The right of minority views are respected but majority consensus prevails over decision making in the party. Besides that, the Wanita, DAPSY, Veteran Club, all the PLCs and branch committees have important role to play and I call on all members to work with the CEC and the State Committee to win the future for the people,” he added.
