'Meetings always happen' - Chow

KEPALA BATAS - Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow seemed to be calm amidst the rumoured simmering feud between him and his predecessor DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, claiming that the pair met often.

"Meetings always happen, we hold monthly and weekly meetings," he said when met by reporters on Monday.

Chow was reacting to suggestions by several DAP leaders who have adviced him to end the cold war between himself and Lim.

He claimed that he meets Lim frequently and that he preferred to remain calm in situations that would have a negative impact to the party.

“As I’ve stated previously, I am always ‘calm and cool’.I think everything has passed with the state elections.

“I can’t deny at the time there were considerations not to choose me (to remain as Chief Minister) from the party’s decision makers,” he said.

Last week former welfare, compassionate society and environment exco Phee Boon Poh had reportedly advised Chow to immediately defuse the dispute with Lim as it was negatively affecting the party.

The former Sungai Puyu assemblyman previously served as a state assemblyman under both Lim and Chow.

Meanwhile when asked regarding his plans for the party election to be held next year, Chow said the matter would be thought about when the time comes.

The cold war between both DAP leaders has been traced back since the Penang state elections, with Chow claiming there were plots planned by DAP members to take him down.

The issue the two took the spotlight, after media reports of Lim potentially being appointed as the Penang Chief Minister after the state elections.

However on May 5, Chow said Lim who had previously served for two terms before amendments were made to the state constitution, could not be appointed again.

Chow said the amendment clearly showed that Lim could not return to the post.

Lim answered the claims and asked for Chow to provide the evidence of the allegations that there were parties outside and inside DAP that were planning to overthrow him as Chief Minister.

Lim who is also the Bagan Member of Parliament, previously said Chow was asked to provide proof to DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook of this plot against him.