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PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has pushed back against criticism over his leadership and engagement with the public, insisting he remains actively present on the ground even as discontent grows over steep increases in quit rent.
Responding to remarks by his predecessor Lim Guan Eng, who had urged him to meet affected residents and businesses, Chow said his schedule includes daily outreach programmes across the state.
"I can definitely confirm that I am always on the ground, especially during Ramadan when I visited the five districts. Don't worry, I am aware of the ongoing developments," Chow told his detractors.
The criticism follows complaints from segments of the commercial and industrial sectors over significant hikes in quit rent, reportedly ranging from 10 per cent to as high as 500 per cent in some cases.
However, Chow said that during his visits, including community iftar events, few ratepayers had approached him directly to raise the issue.
"May be they are hesitant to approach me but during the breaking of fast community events, hardly anyone lodge complaints with me over the quit rent."
He acknowledged that the issue is complex, echoing state executive councillor Goh Choon Aik, and attributed the increases in part to land title subdivisions that better reflect actual land use.
Chow explained that quit rent calculations are based on several factors, including land use, size, location and title status.
"It is not that complicated," said Chow.
On enforcement matters, particularly involving illegal structures under the jurisdiction of the Seberang Prai City Council, Chow said the state government prefers a measured approach, encouraging landowners and leaseholders to regularise their status rather than resorting immediately to punitive action.
He added that firmer enforcement would only be pursued if parties failed to respond to repeated advice.
Chow also noted that governance in Penang cannot rely solely on the election manifesto of the ruling Pakatan Harapan, as external developments such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical conflicts have required policy adjustments.
He said such unforeseen factors continue to shape the state’s economic landscape and policy decisions. - March 19, 2026