PENANG: The Penang DAP state election line-up is a case of undermining Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s influence.

Chow finds himself surrounded by party chairman Lim Guan Eng’s people.

Is this going to be a case of sidelining Chow in next year’s state-level party election creating an internal coup to oust Chow as CM?

Based on the announcement made by secretary-general Anthony Loke on Tuesday, all DAP candidates for Penang state election are aligned to Lim Guan Eng with the only exception of incumbent Komtar state assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, who used to be Chow’s political secretary.

Three state executive councilors who pledged their support for Chow as the Penang chief minister for a second term have been dropped from the list.

They are Chong Eng, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee.

Veteran Phee Boon Poh is also not in the list of candidates although he will be replaced by his daughter Syn Tze.

It might be seen as a veteran leader giving way for a new face but it is more like a compromise for Phee to continue wielding his influence in the area.

It is still unknown whether the Phees are aligned to Chow at this moment, although they are seen as more likely to be on the party national chairman’s side.

Chow is now left with a sole supporter in the entire election line-up.

Lim’s team will likely seize control of the state exco to check Chow’s power.

With Lim’s men controlling the entire exco, the DAP state election could be impacted come mid-2024.

It is possible for Chow to lose in the party election as Penang DAP chairman.

Despite Loke reiterating that Chow is the candidate for chief minister after winning the state election, anything can happen in Malaysian politics!