This is going to be the last time I am addressing you as the State chairman of Penang DAP. Today I will be passing the baton to a new leader and team elected by the delegates to lead the Penang DAP into the future.
As you vote today, you are voting for the future of the party in staying relevant as the party of choice to continue to lead the Penang State government.
I have had the privilege of serving as state chairman of Penang DAP for the past 25 years. It was after the disastrous Tanjong 3 electoral debacle and the shocked defeat of Saudara Lim Kit Siang and Saudara Karpal Singh at the 1999 general election. I was 41 years old then and the responsibility to continue the DAP’s political struggle rested on my shoulders and my team.
We were in the Opposition, and it was most challenging to keep the fighting spirit alive then.
I am indeed thankful to the party and delegates for giving me the support and opportunity to lead the state for 25 long years. Prior to that, I also served eight years as state secretary.
When I was reappointed as Chief Minister after the 2023 state election, the Secretary General Saudara Loke Siew Fook had directed me to have a succession plan so that the next generation can take over the leadership responsibility.
Therefore, I have chosen this State Ordinary Convention to allow delegates to vote for a new leadership to steer Penang DAP to greater heights.
The party has undergone great transformation the last 25 years especially after winning power as State government in 2008.
We have grown exponentially from just 20 branches to almost 300 branches now. We have witnessed an influx of young and old, man and woman to join the party.
Today we have become a much stronger party in terms of organisation, financial resources, publicity and people support. We continue to lead the Penang State government together with our coalition partners for the fourth term.
I am glad to report to our national leadership and delegates here that Penang is now an important industrial state and an economic powerhouse of the country.
Despite the great global and national political and economic challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic, Penang has achieved impressive results as the top State for foreign direct investments.
Most of the economic sectors have recovered from the pandemic and poised to grow further.
We are seeing the implementation of various infrastructure and development projects, opening up of more industrial land, improving resilience in electricity, water and telecommunications services.
We continue to be guided by the Penang2030 vision of a Family-focused, green smart state that inspires the nation.
Meanwhile we have been consciously working on welfare of the people, religious harmony, social cohesion, community empowerment and promoting culture, arts and heritage.
The party and the state government would not have achieved all the above without the support of the people.
As I hand over the leadership baton today, I want to urge all of us to put the interests of the party and the people above our own interests.
We have achieved much, and we must continue to persevere with dedication and commitment. We must be guided by the party vision and mission and respect the people.
Do not take things for granted and stay true to the party’s struggle.
I am glad to hand over a party that I believe is much better today than 25 years ago.
Once again, my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the party and members for giving me the opportunity to serve and lead Penang DAP the last 25 years.
Chow Kon Yeow
Outgoing Penang DAP Chairman
