Chow to submit report on Penang quit rent hike to Loke

2026-03-22 - 03:21

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow promised to comply with the DAP secretary-general’s directive to stop bickering with Lim Guan Eng in public. PETALING JAYA: Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow will submit a report on the state’s quit rent hike to DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook to explain his side of his public spat with his predecessor, Lim Guan Eng. Chow thanked Loke for stepping in and organising a meeting between him and Lim, and promised to comply with the DAP chief’s directive to stop bickering in public. “I will prepare a report on the implementation of the new quit rent rates, which came into effect on Jan 1, to Loke. “I will also abide by the DAP secretary-general’s directive not to discuss this issue in the media to prevent negative perceptions of the party, the leadership and the Penang government,” he said in a statement. He said the affected landowners were still able to appeal the quit rent increase by filling the forms at their respective district and land offices. Yesterday, Loke reprimanded both Lim and Chow over their public tiff, describing it as “unhealthy and inappropriate”. The transport minister criticised Lim for taking a “highly inappropriate” approach to the issue, saying he should understand the importance of maintaining party discipline. He also said Chow should take serious note of the concerns raised as they involve public interest and reflect grievances from various stakeholders. Lim defended his public criticism of Chow, saying he only resorted to it after exhausting all internal mechanisms. The former DAP secretary-general nonetheless promised to stop issuing statements on the issue until the meeting with Chow and Loke is held.