DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Chow Kon Yeow has urged Parti Bersama president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli to respect the decision made by DAP delegates on the party’s position in the Federal Government.
Chow said respecting the decision of party representatives was a basic principle that should be understood by all, particularly following Rafizi’s remarks about DAP’s continued presence in the Unity Government.
“I ask him to respect DAP and the decision made by its delegates. That is a basic matter, isn’t it?” he said during a press conference at the launch of the Publicity and Public Participation Programme for the Draft Penang Structure Plan 2040 (Review) here on Monday.
Earlier, Rafizi claimed that DAP’s decision to remain in the Unity Government had been expected, arguing that political parties which had already enjoyed positions of power would find it difficult to give them up.
He pointed out that DAP currently has representatives serving in various positions, including ministers, deputy ministers, chief ministers, state executive councillors, elected representatives and local authority councillors.
Meanwhile, responding to Rafizi’s comments that Penang’s limited land resources could restrict the state’s revenue potential compared with larger states such as Johor, Chow said the state government had several strategies to maximise the use of its existing land.
He said land acquisition and development were continuously being carried out for various purposes, not solely for industrial activities.
“Land is constantly being acquired and opened up for industry and various other uses. Reclassifying rural areas as urban areas is also one method of rezoning land use in Penang,” he said.
Chow said the state government needed to make the best possible use of available land to ensure development projects generated the greatest impact for Penang.
“We need to optimise and maximise existing land for uses that can bring the highest impact to the state’s development.
“We have to work within the constraints faced by the state government. We have our strengths and weaknesses, so we need to plan according to them,” he said.
He added that Seberang Perai still had considerable development potential as there were areas of land that could be utilised for future projects.
Asked whether there was still sufficient land available in Seberang Perai, Chow simply replied: “There is still a lot.”
He said the available land could contribute towards Penang’s development plans through to 2040.
On the reported low attendance at the DAP congress held on Sunday, where fewer than half of the delegates were said to have attended, Chow said the gathering remained valid as it had met the required quorum.
He explained that the minimum quorum required for the party conference to proceed lawfully was 25 per cent of eligible delegates.
“We had more than 50 delegates and therefore fulfilled the required quorum,” he said.
Chow also noted that attendance at party elections typically stood at around 60 to 70 per cent, while general elections also did not attract every eligible voter.
“Even in party elections, our attendance is usually around 60 to 70 per cent. In general elections, voter turnout is also around 65 to 70 per cent.
“Does that mean a general election is invalid simply because turnout is only 65 per cent? No, right? That is normal,” he said.
