Chow, who is state DAP chief, said while the opposition parties are in disarray and have yet to decide on the path that they want to pursue following their defeats in the polls, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have taken on a new role.
He alluded that the NGOs had filled in the void left by an opposition that was getting weaker in spirit and urged party members to continue to listen to the people’s wants and needs to ensure their continued support.
“…although opposition parties appear to have lost their spirits, over the past few months, the NGOs have been loud and critical against the Penang government, over the Penang Transport Master Plan and two landslide incidents claiming the lives of 20 workers.
“Hence, I would like to urge the government and party members to care about our roles in the government and do the best to keep the support and trust of the people,” Chow said in his keynote address at the Penang DAP convention here today.
He said in ensuring the people’s support, he had proposed a two-term limit for the chief minister’s post so that it would enable a new group of leaders to take over.
Chow said with the two-term limit, former chief ministers, such as party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng who had served for two-terms, would not be able to return as chief minister in the future.
“Our party must be ready for a new generation of leaders to continue to lead the state, if our mandate is extended by the people.
“…when the secretary-general and myself have finished our responsibilities, in the state, notwithstanding our secretary-general’s role in the federal level, this is just about the CM’s post, we must be prepared with new blood to replace us,” he said.
Chow also thanked the attorney-general for dropping Lim’s corruption case and said Penang DAP had given the donation money received for his bail to a state scholarship fund.
Meanwhile, Lim, in his address to the delegates, paid homage to the veterans of the party for sticking through thick and thin in ensuring Pakatan Harapan’s win in the state and at the federal level.
He told the delegates that as a DAP member, one must uphold the party’s vision and leadership and be prepared to make sacrifices.
Lim said, for instance, DAP central committee member Lim Kit Siang had been at the forefront of the party’s struggle for so long but refused to accept any ministerial position in the federal government.
“We have never joined the DAP to be rich, but we join to help the people live happily in the country, ensuring justice for the people, and hope for our children. That is the principle of our party’s fight and sacrifice.
“And Lim Kit Siang embodies just that. He fought tooth and nail for over 60 years (and yet) he denied all posts in the government or ministership.
“Most members and even the opposition bench admits that Kit Siang is best made a minister. That is the spirit of sacrifice – to give way to the young as the catalysts of reforms in the country,” he said to applause from the delegates.
At the state convention at the Equatorial Hotel today, 793 delegates out of an eligible 1,086 attended today. They will vote for the Penang DAP committee. There are 40 candidates vying for posts in the state committee.