KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): DAP has called off plans to hold a snap general election in Penang after the PKR leadership did not agree with having early polls.

"DAP will not press ahead with our proposal to dissolve the Penang state assembly and conduct state general election following a quick consultation with party leaders and the Penang state leadership," Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng in a statement today.

Lim said he was informed yesterday by PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali,who is Selangor Menteri Besar, that the PKR leadership did not agree with having early polls.

Azmin, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah and PKR national elections director Saifudin Nasution had earlier met Lim and Penang state chair Chow Kon Yeow in Penang on July 20 to listen to DAP's reasons for a state general election.

"Following the disagreement of PKR to a state general election, the DAP will not proceed with proposals for a state general election. Even though Parti Amanah Negara had agreed with DAP to the proposal for a snap poll in Penang, we had announced that DAP will not make such a decision unilaterally but through a consensus of all three parties within Pakatan Harapan," said Lim.

He noted that Penang Pakatan leaders will now focus on making Penang a model of good governance and clean leadership to develop the state into an entrepreneurial and welfare state.

“More efforts on the ground must be made to publicise and make known to the public of the good policies of the Penang government that works for the benefit of the people and not cronies. Only then are we confident to face the next elections and not fear losing seats. We must win not by default from the failures, abuse of power and corruption by Barisan Nasional but by the strength of our own hard work of establishing an entrepreneurial and welfare state,” said Lim. 

Talks of snap polls came on the heels of Lim’s charges on June 30 under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009 in relation with his purchase of a bungalow at Jalan Pinhorn in Penang for an alleged undervalued price of RM2.8 million.

Lim was charged under Section 23 of the Act for allegedly using his public office position for gratification in making a decision for himself or a relative who has direct or indirect relation with the person, and Section 165 of the Penal Code for allegedly obtaining a valuable item without consideration from a person involved in any proceeding or business transacted by such a public servant. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.