Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow’s preference not to hold the state assembly election at the same time as the parliamentary general election may stem from concerns that voters could treat the contest as a referendum on Pakatan Harapan’s performance at the federal level, according to two political analysts.
James Chin and Francis Hutchinson said that with more than two years remaining in the current state administration’s term, conducting the Penang election separately could provide Pakatan Harapan with greater flexibility in defending its position in the state.
Analysts point to strategic considerations
Parliament’s current term is scheduled to expire in February 2028, while the Penang state assembly’s term ends in August 2028, although both legislatures may be dissolved earlier.
James Chin said DAP leaders remained uncertain about public sentiment, noting that party representatives continued to receive complaints from voters during engagements. He also said the party faced the challenge of voters linking state issues with developments at the federal level.
According to Chin, many voters would continue to associate DAP with the Madani government and could hold the party responsible for issues such as the lack of recognition for the Unified Examination Certificate, even during a state election campaign.
DAP has long sought government recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate awarded by independent Chinese schools.
Separate polls may reduce federal influence
Chin said holding the state election independently could improve DAP’s chances of preventing federal issues from dominating the campaign.
He suggested that voters dissatisfied with DAP at the national level might express that sentiment during the parliamentary election while still choosing to keep the party in power in Penang through the state election, even if with a reduced majority.
Chin added that Chinese voters were not willing to see the DAP-led government lose control of Penang.
Francis Hutchinson of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute also suggested that political self-preservation could be a factor behind Chow’s preference for separate elections.
He said that if Pakatan Harapan were defeated in the general election, it might still retain control of Penang and potentially Selangor, similar to the period between 2008 and 2018 when the coalition governed several states despite being in opposition at the federal level.
Hutchinson said such a scenario would still be preferable for Pakatan Harapan compared with Barisan Nasional controlling both the federal and state governments.
Timing could influence voter behaviour
Sunway University political scientist Wong Chin Huat argued that calling a state election now would amount to an unnecessary use of public funds.
He said delaying the state polls would provide Chow and his allies with additional time to respond to evolving national political sentiment.
According to Wong, if Pakatan Harapan performs poorly in the parliamentary general election, its supporters could be more motivated to turn out in large numbers during a subsequent state election to ensure the coalition remains in power in Penang.
Conversely, he said that if Pakatan Harapan performs well nationally, it could also benefit from carrying that momentum into the state election.
