Penang Pakatan-BN ties ‘strong and stable’, says Chow Kon Yeow amid Johor rift

JOHOR BAHRU, May 17 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today affirmed that the political alliance between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) in his state remains “strong and stable,” drawing a sharp contrast with the political developments in Johor.

Speaking at the 2026 PH Convention here today, Chow insisted that Penang has prioritised political stability to safeguard the state’s future for its people, investors, and youth.

“It is very important to ensure that the cooperation between the parties in the government can be strengthened,” he said.

“The people at present want stability, investors want stability, and young people looking for jobs and a future also want stability.”

Chow, who also serves as the Penang PH chairman, explained his governance style, saying that he has opted to make responsible, albeit sometimes unpopular, decisions over populist moves to protect the state’s long-term interests.

“I chose to continue with important policies and decisions in order to maintain the state’s financial position and infrastructure development for the future of Penang despite being aware that some decisions may cause dissatisfaction,” he said.

Chow’s remarks come just a day after Johor BN chairman and Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that his coalition will contest all 56 state seats solo in the next election.

The move effectively ends any potential electoral pact with PH in the state.

Johor is not a coalition government and instead has been governed alone by BN since the 2022 state election.

PH is part of the “balancing force”, the term Johor uses for what is effectively the state’s opposition.