PAKATAN Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in Penang will be known as unity candidates Chow Kon Yeow said.

This is in recognition of the joint effort between both coalitions and to pave the way for them to form a unity government if they capture the state.

“On August 1, we will present the unity manifesto for Penang and formally introduce our 40 unity candidates.

“To show our commitment and camaraderie, we will present all 40 hopefuls as unity candidates,” he was quoted as saying today.

Chow said the manifesto was a joint effort between PH and BN, to realise its promises.

Chow said 19 DAP candidates had successfully filed their nomination papers this morning, with most of them facing straight fights.

He noted that there will be four three-cornered fights and three four-cornered fights.

The caretaker chief minister said DAP’s campaign in the elections will not be affected by the decision of two disgruntled party members to stand as independent candidates.

Chow said the party had not received any information about boycotts by supporters of incumbent assemblymen not nominated to defend their seats.

“There are only two seats where party members are standing as independents but their actions would not cause any problems as we have our own resources and machinery at all levels to ensure the smooth conduct of campaigns for the polls,” he told reporters earlier today after nominations ended.

Chow is defending the Padang Kota seat in a straight fight with Perikatan Nasional candidate H’ng Khoon Leng, who is from Gerakan.

Incumbent Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy and Kampung Jawa Autocity DAP branch chief David Marshel announced they were quitting the party to stand as independents in the Bagan Dalam and Perai seats respectively. –  July 29, 2023.