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BAGAN Member of Parliament Lim Guan Eng has moved to quell tensions within the Penang Democratic Action Party (DAP), clarifying that he did not intend to implicate Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in the non-reappointment of grassroots leader David Ng Yee Siang to the Seberang Jaya City Council.
The clarification follows a strongly worded response from Chow, who took exception to remarks by Lim that appeared to link him to the decision not to renew Ng’s councillor position.
Lim said his earlier statement had been misunderstood and stressed that he never alleged Chow was responsible for blocking Ng’s reappointment.
"Also, my statement had no intention to neither instil a negative perception nor dissatisfaction towards the chief minister (Chow)."
According to Lim, Ng himself had since clarified that he harboured no ill feelings towards the chief minister, having understood that his name was removed by Penang DAP liaison chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong rather than Chow.
Ng acknowledged, Lim said, that Chow merely endorsed the state party’s decision in his official capacity.
"I referenced Chow because only the chief minister is empowered under the Local Government Act 1976 to appoint or reject Ng. It is not the sole prerogative of the Penang DAP."
Lim emphasised that the DAP Bagan committee had supported Ng’s continuation as a councillor and that he had formally conveyed this position to Sim in writing.
"I had also made such a point to Sim (as Penang DAP chairman) in a written note. I did not write to Chow because the matter has no direct relation to the chief minister."
He said the proposal from the Bagan grassroots was ultimately rejected by the state party leadership.
"It is therefore baseless and confusing to sow an impression that it was the chief minister who wanted to strike off Ng from been reappointed," said Lim.
The episode has exposed underlying strains within the state chapter of the ruling coalition party, with questions raised over the interplay between party decisions and executive authority under local government law. - February 12, 2026
