DAP waiting for consensus from coalition partners on snap polls, Guan Eng says

(Bernama) – The DAP-led Penang state government is still waiting for the consensus from Pakatan Harapan’s coalition parties before calling for a snap election.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the coalition parties in Pakatan Harapan, namely PKR and Parti Amanah Negara, were already aware of the need and reason for the snap election in the state.

“There’s no confusion on our part, we are very clear and what is necessary is for a consensus to be reached. We are still waiting for the agreement from PKR (and Amanah).

“We are having a meeting on Sunday, let’s wait for the announcement,” he told reporters at the Dr Wu Lien-Teh Commemorative Global Symposium opening ceremony here, today.

Asked if an announcement would be made about the snap election, Lim said there was a possibility that an announcement would be made as to whether to call for the snap election or not.

Last Wednesday Lim said he would not make a unilateral decision on the matter (snap polls) but rather continue with discussions with the parties’ allies.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy was reported to have said DAP had shortlisted two options in response to the two corruption charges against Lim.

Ramasamy had said one was to call for a snap election to gauge the people’s response to the charges on Lim who is also the DAP secretary-general, while the other was to wait for the general election which must be called by August 2018.  The Penang state assembly has 40 seats with DAP in the lead with 19 seats, PKR (10), Barisan Nasional (10) and PAS (1).

Meanwhile, Lim said a briefing session themed ‘Future of Penang’ would be held to explain economic and political issues to the people on Monday starting 8.30pm at the Caring Society Complex, here.