DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng wants to ensure that a proper foundation is laid for future leaders of the party in Penang.

He also wants to make sure there is a viable succession plan in place to replace Chow Kon Yeow as the chief minister.

This is why he is contesting in the state polls in Penang, he told Free Malaysia Today today.

Lim is DAP’s candidate for Air Putih, a seat which he has held since 2008. Party members had recently questioned Lim’s candidacy as several other veterans were dropped in the name of rejuvenation.

“I think my role is more of laying the foundation for leadership, succession and transition. For every leader, it’s very important that you must have a succession plan. Otherwise, you will fail.

“After Chow Kon Yeow, there will be a new chief minister, so you must prepare that ground for his successor.

“It cannot be only a one-man show, you must have a team,” he was quoted as saying.

He said a team effort was essential to take DAP’s goals to the next level, adding that the new team in Penang would need time to gel, learn, and gain experience.

“Penang is the jewel of our crown… Penang is the Pearl of the Orient and the pearl of the DAP. We want to have the best team available for the next level and for the next generation of leaders in Penang,” he said.

Lim said this was also the reason why party secretary-general Anthony Loke and national vice-chairmen Nga Kor Ming and Chong Chieng Jen maintain a political presence in Negri Sembilan, Perak and Sarawak, respectively.

Lim, a former Penang chief minister, however said he would not accept an exco position in the new government if Pakatan Harapan wins Penang again.

He added that he would be happy to serve as a mentor to new faces.

He has won the Air Putih seat by comfortable margins in the past three terms. 

Next Saturday, he will face former DAP man Teh Yee Cheu (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Perikatan Nasional’s Ivan Kong. 

There are 15,371 eligible voters, nearly 1,900 more than in 2018, after the minimum voting age was lowered to 18. Air Putih is 80% Chinese, 9.8% Malay and 8.7% Indian. – August 6, 2023.