GEORGE TOWN: With speculation brewing that Umno may push for early general election well ahead of the July 2023 deadline, Penang has decided to only hold an election upon the completion of the full term.

       DAP vice-chairman, Chow Kon Yeow said the state would maintain its right and not follow suit if there is an early national election.

       "There is no need for us to follow the national election because the state can decide on its own and we can opt to hold the election upon the completion of the full term.

       "Furthermore, it will not be a precedent because it has happened for so long before in Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Johor and Melaka,” he told reporters after officiating at the SME CEO Forum 2022, here, on Friday (March 18).

       Meanwhile, Chow said DAP’s 17th National Congress, to be held on March 20, would focus on two major issues -- changes in the party’s central executive committee (CEC) line-up, particularly the secretary-general post, and 30 percent women representation in DAP’s national leadership committee.

       "We hope this new national leadership line-up can bring the party forward in this current turbulent political situation,” he added. - Bernama