His successor as Penang DAP chief, Steven Sim, has been appointed one of the three deputy chairmen for the state chapter.

The other two Penang PH deputy chairmen are state PKR chief Nurul Izzah Anwar and Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil.

Chow said he was staying on as Penang PH chief for the sake of continuity since he was still the state’s chief minister, adding that the committee wanted him to remain in the post.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, deputy Penang chief minister Mohamad Abdul Hamid and Penang Amanah deputy chief Zaidi Zakaria were made vice-chairmen.

Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, who is also the deputy finance minister, takes on the post of secretary.

Chow also said the new PH leadership in Penang must strengthen its grassroots support as it starts preparing for the next general election.

Stating that Penang PH will focus on gaining public trust by improving government services at both the state and federal levels, he said the state chapter would also work closely with NGOs and local community leaders.

He also allayed concerns about PH losing the support of Malay voters, especially in Seberang Perai as neighbouring Kedah is a stronghold for Perikatan Nasional.

Chow said Penang voters know that PH helped to stabilise the country’s politics and economy, which has reduced the opposition’s influence.

“We believe our policies and economic plans will continue to earn the trust of Malay voters,” he said.

As for cooperation with Umno in GE16, Chow said that some Umno leaders are keen to continue working together and have shown increasing support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government.