Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Anthony Loke plans to convene a meeting with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and former chief minister Lim Guan Eng to resolve disputes over recent quit rent increases in the state. The new land tax rates, implemented from January 1 and affecting nearly 370,000 land titles, have sparked public debate and discord within the party, according to reports from Malay Mail and The Star Malaysia.
Chow Kon Yeow is preparing a detailed report on the quit rent hike to submit to Loke, following a three-party discussion aimed at addressing landowner concerns. The Penang government has been advised to refrain from discussing the issue publicly to avoid negative perceptions, signaling efforts to manage the controversy internally, as stated by Malay Mail.
Lim Guan Eng has welcomed the proposed meeting and agreed to pause public criticism until discussions take place. He has highlighted the importance of assisting landowners impacted by the tax hike, while previously criticizing the revised quit rent rates for their errors and calling for an overhaul of the system, demonstrating lingering tensions within the party, according to Malay Mail.
Loke has publicly condemned the ongoing spat between Lim and Chow, describing the dispute as "unhealthy" and "inappropriate," and urged both leaders to resolve issues within party channels rather than in public. This call for unity underscores the pressure on DAP to mend internal divisions amid the land tax controversy, reports Channel News Asia and Malay Mail.
The upcoming meeting will be closely watched as a potential turning point for party cohesion and policy response in Penang. Observers will await the report and any decisions on revising the quit rent rates, with significant implications for tens of thousands of landowners and the DAP’s political standing ahead of upcoming elections.
Lim Guan Eng
Chow Kon Yeow
DAP
Anthony Loke
Penang
