PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow sought to close ranks in the newly formed state government, addressing unhappiness that Bersatu and Amanah representatives were not appointed to the exco line-up.

All excos appointed in the new term are from DAP and PKR, as in the previous two terms after Barisan Nasional lost Penang.

Urging the new state administration to move on and get work done, he said representatives not appointed to the exco still had plenty of room to shine outside the administration by serving the people well.

“We will, of course, closely monitor the performance of the excos. We also hope the Bersatu and Amanah representatives will do well… there is ample room for all of us to deliver, even outside of the exco,” he told the media this morning.

He said the selection of excos were decided in a meeting attended by all four state chairmen of Pakatan Harapan parties, including himself, who is state DAP chief.

“The exco has already been set up. Let us move on. We hope the excos appointed will prove their ability to serve and do their jobs.”

“The main concern when the decision was made was sticking to the status quo to ensure continuity and to ensure we could deliver and justify the people’s choice and confidence in us.”

Chow also said the Westminster system allowed the chief executive of the state government to reshuffle the exco line-up if and when necessary.

“But I am not saying that it is necessary to do that now.”

PH retained Penang in GE14, with DAP winning 19 seats, PKR 14, and Bersatu and Amanah two seats each. The BN opposition won two and PAS one out of the total 40 state seats. – May 19, 2018.