All eyes are on Penang’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) as it prepares for its state elections on 22 September, where the next state DAP chief will be named. This election is of particular interest because the state chairman typically also serves as the chief minister. However, this convention was not followed during Lim Guan Eng’s tenure from 2008 to 2018. Penang chief minister and DAP state chairman Chow Kon Yeow had also recently declined his nomination for the party polls, despite receiving nominations from at least two branches to contest. He said his decision to decline was his first step in initiating his succession plan. This triggered a wave of speculation about the future direction of both his role and the party’s position in the state . Some analysts have interpreted Chow’s move as a strategic decision intended to address upcoming challenges and to facilitate a smooth transition, reflecting his extensive experience and political acumen. The DAP stalwart, who has been ho
This article was published in TheSun on 19 August 2024. Tourism and Creative Economy executive councillor Wong Hon Wai said that there is great tourism potential in China’s Greater Bay Area, including Hong Kong. He also said that Penang should explore and expand its market share due to the Greater Bay Area’s large population of 86 million people, and economic strength. “Hong Kong alone has a population of 7.5 million people,” he said. “We warmly welcome more tourists, business professionals, and students from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to Penang, a unique city that blends East and West, tradition and modernity,” Wong said in a statement on August 14. He said that the Greater Bay Area encompassing Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao, share deep linguistic and cultural ties with Penang. He also highlighted that the Penang populace was generally proficient in multiple languages and dialects which would ease communication challenges. “Those who love cultural heritage, natural