Ending a great run: Chow (centre) giving the thumbs up at the state DAP ordinary convention, flanked by state party committee members at the Setia Spice Arena. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: After 25 years of leadership, outgoing Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow received a heartfelt send-off at the state DAP convention.
Penang DAP secretary Lim Hui Ying surprised the audience by taking the stage to commend Chow’s leadership and dedication to the party.
There was also a video tribute highlighting Chow’s political career and contributions to DAP.
After the presentation, the Penang Chief Minister received a standing ovation from top party leaders and state officials at the Setia Spice Arena.
Hui Ying also presented Chow, 65, with a bouquet, while the state committee, led by Penang DAP deputy chairman Jagdeep Singh, handed him a gift.
DAP adviser Tan Kok Wai and national chairman Lim Guan Eng then embraced Chow, acknowledging his legacy and the bonds forged during his tenure.
Hui Ying, in her speech earlier, said Chow’s presence has laid a strong foundation that enabled DAP to form the state government in 2008 and maintain power until today.
She also said that Chow, who has been the Chief Minister since 2018, will serve until the end of this term.
On Penang DAP, she said it has not been an easy journey for the party.
“We have gone through challenging moments, from the lack of funds to canvassing door-to-door during general elections.
“Under Chow’s leadership, the DAP has opened many opportunities for young people in the party to emerge as leaders, council members and elected representatives.
“During his tenure, Penang DAP also bought Wisma DAP in Rangoon Road for RM3.5mil in 2012,” she said.
The Kuala Lumpur-born Chow’s political career began in 1986 when he served as the political secretary to the then DAP secretary-general Lim Kit Siang, now a Tan Sri.
In 1999, he assumed the state DAP top post. In 2008, under his leadership, the DAP successfully won 19 seats in Penang, forming the state government alongside its coalition partners known as Pakatan Rakyat then.
Earlier, Chow, who is also the Batu Kawan MP, in addressing the delegates as the state DAP chairman for the last time, said he is glad to hand over a party leadership that he believed is much better than 25 years ago.
“We have grown exponentially, from just 20 branches to almost 300 branches now.
“Today, we have become a much stronger party in terms of organisation, financial resources, publicity and people’s support.
“We continue to lead the Penang government together with our coalition partners for the fourth term,” he said.
Chow recalled that he had taken over the state chairmanship after the disastrous Tanjong 3 electoral debacle, which saw Kit Siang and the late Datuk Seri Karpal Singh defeated in 1999.
“We were in the Opposition, and it was most challenging to keep the fighting spirit alive then.
“Today, I am glad to report to our national leadership and delegates here that Penang is now an important industrial state and an economic powerhouse of the country.
“Despite the great global and national political and economic challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic, Penang has achieved impressive results as the top state for foreign direct investments.”
Chow, who is a Universiti Sains Malaysia graduate, also noted the state’s implementation of various infrastructure and development projects, opening up of more industrial land, and improving resilience in electricity, water and telecommunications services.
“We continue to be guided by the Penang2030 vision of a family-focused, green smart state that inspires the nation,” he said at the state ordinary convention.
