Has DAP also fallen prey to NEO-FEUDALISM - is it no more DEMOCRATIC? Is it now a party where what party leaders(incumbent) says is what all members must agree and follow...NO room for alternative views or most importantly views critical of party leadership???
This QUESTION arises when ANTHONY LOKE asked Guan Eng and Penang Chief Minister to stop discussing in public - was he saying that DAP members should no longer express themselves about issues in public even it is a matter of public interest?
Can DAP members not be allowed to express themselves in public - only restricted to expressing themselves within the party - and thereafter only BOUND by party position, even if they have a different opinion?
In Malaysia, sadly many still have a 'neo-feudalistic' mindset - once we elect a President and leaders of societies and even political parties - members are 'blindly loyal' to the incumbent leadership - and many even do not speak up when 'leaders' make mistakes or say things that they feel was wrong - and this is 'undemocratic' behaviour. In a democratic association, it is always the membership that are the 'BOSSES' and any member has the right to speak up when they disagree with actions/statements of the leadership. In a democratic society, leaders must always welcome different views - and listen to the majority views. POLITICAL parties too may have CERTAIN basic principles/values - only when party members break these 'fundamental principles', will the party react - with maybe a 'show cause letter, or other actions.
SO, when ANTHONY LOKE '...rebuked his party adviser Lim Guan Eng over the latter's continued criticism of his successor, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow...' - was this because Guan Eng did something against the party's core principles? Or was it because party did not like the fact that Guan Eng was critical of a DAP leader.
WHO increased the QUIT RENT - surely it cannot be the Penang Chief MINISTER who initiated -- because to increase or decrease QUIT RENTS comes within the power of the LOCAL COUNCILS(Local Government) although now the State GOVERNMENT must approve any changes in RATES
The local authority may, with the approval of the State Authority, from time to time as is deemed necessary, impose either separately or as a consolidated rate, the annual rate or rates within a local authority area for the purposes of this Act or for other purposes which it is the duty of the local authority to perform under any other written law. (Sec. 127 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1976)
So, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow approved the changes in RATE - Odd that the Local Councils who increased the rates have not been involved in this 'public discussion' that has been happening between Guan Eng and the Chief Minister?
Wonder whether a democratically elected by the people LOCAL Council(government/authority) would have CHANGED or increased the RATES. Now, the Local Council is still not democratically elected by the people, but are POLITICAL APPOINTEES of the State > so people chosen and appointed by the Chief Minister and his State Exco???
So, did CM Chow Kon Yeow 'tell' his political appointee Local Council to increase RATES, or did the decision to increase RATES come from the Local Councils themselves INDEPENDENTLY? in short, who is calling the shots - the Chief Minister or the Local Councils...[That is WHY we need LOCAL COUNCIL elections - as political appointee Local Councillors tend to do what the person who appointed wanted, and not what the people within Local Council wants. If the Local Council did wrong to the people, now we cannot VOTE them out - the only people we can VOTE out is the CM and the State Assemblypersons who formed the government...SO SAD]
NEXT QUESTION - HOW is the Local Council money being spent - it SHOULD NEVER be taken by the CM and used for STATE expenditure? When it is ONLY the Chief Minister 'fighting' with Guan Eng(and not the LOCAL COUNCILS), one wonders whether the STATE Government is going to get some of these LOCAL COUNCIL monies?? Check...check...how LOCAL Council monies are being used > Sadly, most Local Councils are NOT VERY TRANSPARENT about their accounts - how much collected annually, and HOW was it spent - was there ABUSE, was there wrongful 'donations' to the State Government?? At the very least, it should be on WEBSITES of Local Councils >>> Minister Nga Kor Ming...LOOK INTO THIS - Transparency and accountability?
It was an issue about 'QUIT RENT' - and that is a matter of public interest, which anyone have a right to have a different view on.It was NOT even something against DAP core principle - so, I do not thing that ANTHONY LOKE should be angry about this public debate and discussion - because it is Guan Eng, at least the CM is responding...would he respond to some normal person from Penang? Guan Eng, in this case did GOOD...he highlighted the issue, which is an issue of concern for all people of Penang...
So, Anthony LOKE's 'anger' - Does this especially apply ONLY to backbenchers of the party(or to ALL members), i.e. those who are ADUNs/MPs but not in the Cabinet or State Exco? Has Anthony LOKE forgotten about the role of backbenchers in our democracy - the duty to be an effective check and balance to the government - and surely the right to express their different views, including views critical of the government in PUBLIC - not confined to within the party?
“Any disagreements, especially from backbenchers on State Government decisions, should be addressed through established internal mechanisms rather than aired publicly,” Loke said.
What do you think about this statement?
Now, is this how Anthony Loke and party leadership have been in the Pakatan Harapan? In Anwar's MADANI Government Coalition?
Come to think of it, we have NOT heard much of Anthony Loke and DAP voice - Was this is TOTAL LOYALTY to Anwar - be quite even if you have a different opinion, or oppose Anwar's views? Now, after the loss in Sabah elections - we again hear a 'little' different opinion from DAP (or rather some in DAP?
If you do not SPEAK UP - then, people will say that DAP has LOST ITS VOICE - so DAP agrees that:-
A) The SEDITION ACT is OK and need not be repealed;
B) That is is OK for UITM to remain only accessible to BUMIPUTRA students - and NOT non-Bumiputra Students (Even though the contradiction was HIGHLIGHTED that foreign students are OK - but not Bumiputra students) - I would have asked for at a QUOTA for non-bumiputra students, and maybe a consideration that foreigners not be allowed.
C) That LYNAS get a 10 year license??
D) That there is NO ISSUE in the awarding of Malaysian Citizenship to foreign football players, and that Malaysia do not have to look into that issue of FORGED documents submitted to FIFA;
E)....
DAP is going to have a GENERAL Meeting - can DAP members TABLE other Motions - maybe even a MOTION of Disappointment against Anthony Loke and the leadership for its conduct when in Anwar Ibrahim led MADANI Government? OR DAP members CANNOT do anything without the approval of the current leadership?
The question now is should Malaysians JOIN political parties like DAP if joining means a LOSS of our Freedom of Expression and Opinion?
Back to changes in RATES - did the Local Council act TRANSPARENTLY - were the people informed. Were those affected sent letters... or was it again 'not effectively' brought to the notice of those affected - WERE there OBJECTIONS? By not bringing effectively to the NOTICE of the people - then what happened in the Lynas case will happen again - where the Planning Permission was gazetted on 28/1/2022 and Tan was informed by letter only 21/4/2022 ... Is the DAP government just the same as past BN government,...? See earlier post on the Lynas Court of Appeal (https://charleshector.blogspot.com/)
See relevant provisions on the LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT - did the persons now 'complaining' know of the changes in TIME, so they could OBJECT and/or APPEAL to Court...???
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1976
141 Notice of new valuation list to be published
(1) Where any Valuation List has been prepared or adopted under the provisions of section 137 the local authority shall give notice of the same and of the place where the Valuation List or a copy thereof may be inspected in the Gazette and by way of advertisement in two local newspapers at least one of which is in the national language.142 Objections
(1) Any person aggrieved on any of the following grounds-
(a) that any holding for which he is rateable is valued beyond its rateable value;
(b) that any holding valued is not rateable;
(c) that any person who, or any holding which, ought to be included in the Valuation List is omitted therefrom;
(d) that any holding is valued below its rateable value; or
(e) that any holding or holdings which have been jointly or separately valued ought to be valued otherwise;
may make objection in writing to the local authority at any time not less than fourteen days before the time fixed for the revision of the Valuation List.
(2) All objections shall be enquired into and the persons making them shall at such enquiry be allowed an opportunity of being heard either in person or by an authorised agent.
145 Appeals
(1) Any person who having made an objection in the manner prescribed by section 142 or 144 is dissatisfied with the decision of the local authority thereon may appeal to the High Court by way of originating motion:
Provided that with the filing of the originating motion there shall be paid into the local authority the amount of the rate appealed against.
(2) The originating motion shall be filed by the person dissatisfied with the decision of the local authority within fourteen days of the receipt thereof.
(3) The local authority shall be the respondent in any appeal under this section.
(4) Every such appeal shall be heard before the High Court whose decision on questions of fact shall be final and conclusive.
(5) From the decision of the High Court either party may appeal on questions of law to the Federal Court whose decision shall be final and conclusive.
(6) In any appeal under subsection (5), the provisions of any written law for the time being in force relating to appeals in civil matters from the High Court in its appellate jurisdiction to the Federal Court shall apply.
NOTE - Again, there is problems with MY BLOG - have difficulty accessing it - and even copying links from the BLOG - Minister Fahmi Fadzil, please check and make sure that NO ONE is doing anything to suppress my BLOG. Confirm it is not your Ministry
‘Unhealthy and inappropriate’: Loke tells Guan Eng, Penang CM to end public spat on quit rent
KUALA LUMPUR, March 21 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook today called for an end to the public dispute between party veteran Lim Guan Eng and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow over the state’s revised quit rent rates, saying the matter should be resolved internally.
In a statement, Loke said the party leadership was “deeply concerned and disturbed” by the ongoing exchanges, and said internal differences over public policy should not be aired in a way that undermines the party’s own state government.
“This is an unhealthy and inappropriate way to address internal differences on public policy matters,” he said, adding that he would convene a meeting involving both leaders to resolve the matter amicably.
Loke said Lim, as a former DAP secretary-general and former Penang chief minister, should appreciate the importance of party discipline.
“Any disagreements, especially from backbenchers on State Government decisions, should be addressed through established internal mechanisms rather than aired publicly,” Loke said.
At the same time, he said Chow should take seriously the concerns raised, as they involve public interest and complaints from affected stakeholders.
He said any review of quit rent in commercial areas must be carried out in a “balanced, responsive, and considerate” manner, adding that quit rent involving educational institutions such as public schools should not be increased excessively and should instead be kept at a nominal rate.
Loke said the public spat must end so party leaders can refocus on serving the people rather than prolonging a dispute that has already drawn wide public attention.
The intervention follows a series of public exchanges over Penang’s revised 2026 quit rent structure, which the state government says took effect on January 1 this year and was introduced to correct disparities in rates that had not been reviewed since 1994.
Lim had earlier questioned cases of sharp increases, including one he said rose from RM6 to RM19,400 a year and another from RM745 to RM489,775, while arguing that the state government’s explanation had raised many doubts.
Chow has defended the revision, saying some cases highlighted publicly omitted key details such as land size and actual land use, and that the rates are based on land classification, size and current use.
The Penang government had offered a 50 per cent rebate on 2026 quit rent for all landowners, subject to minimum rates and conditions.
The state also fixed quit rent for school land at a nominal RM50 per title this year, excluding international schools.
On March 12, Chow said the state government had received 1,025 appeals over the revised rates. - Malaysiakini, 21/3/2026
Stop bickering in public, Loke orders Guan Eng, Chow
DAP chief says Lim Guan Eng's approach is 'highly inappropriate' but Penang CM Chow Kon Yeow should take serious note of his predecessor's concerns.
Loke said the DAP central leadership was deeply concerned by the pair’s public spat, describing it as an “unhealthy and inappropriate” manner to tackle internal differences on public policies.
He said Lim, as a former DAP secretary-general and former Penang chief minister, should understand the importance of maintaining party discipline.
Loke, the transport minister, said disagreements from state backbenchers should be conveyed through internal mechanisms rather than being aired publicly.
“Differences of opinion should not be expressed in a manner that undermines our own chief minister and the state government.
“At the same time, while Lim’s approach is highly inappropriate, Chow, as chief minister, should take serious note of the concerns raised, as they involve public interest and reflect grievances from various stakeholders,” he said in a statement.
Loke acknowledged the Penang government’s need to review quit rent rates in commercial zones, but said this must be done in a balanced and considerate manner.
“This public spat must come to an end, and party discipline must be upheld at all times. As DAP secretary-general, I will convene a meeting involving both leaders to resolve this matter amicably,” he said.
He said the focus of all DAP leaders must be on serving the people, urging them to avoid bickering in public and to seek constructive cooperation instead.
Over the past week, Lim and Chow have been engaged in a back and forth over the quit rent issue.
Chow said several landowners who publicly criticised the revised quit rent rates at a press conference held by Lim had left out key details such as lot size and the actual business or industrial use of their land.
He said some of the cases raised involved land used to store timber, place containers or park lorries, or utilised as used-car sales lots, or even to carry out factory-related activities.
Lim then urged Chow to personally inspect the compaints instead of relying only on feedback from land and mines officers, to which the chief minister replied that he trusted in the work of those officers. - FMT, 21/3/2026
Chow stands by state officers in quit rent row with Guan Eng
GEORGE TOWN: Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow has defended the data and advice from state officers on the controversial quit rent issue, saying he trusts their work.
He was responding to criticism from Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, who urged him to look into the matter personally and questioned the reliability of information provided by officers from the land and mines office.
Speaking to reporters in Komtar, Chow dismissed the criticism, saying: “That is his interpretation (of the situation), which is totally wrong.”
He said mistakes, if any, would be rectified, and that more than 2,000 appeals on quit rent matters had been received, with over 500 already decided and the remainder to be reviewed after verification.
Chow also rejected Lim’s argument that the state could not carry out measures not listed in Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) 2023 election manifesto for Penang.
“A manifesto does not prevent a government from pursuing measures not listed in it,” he said, adding that new steps could be introduced according to the circumstances.
Yesterday, Lim said Chow had openly admitted that the new quit rent calculation system had caused rate increases ranging from hundreds- to thousands-fold.
He also asked how such steep hikes could be justified when they were not mentioned in PH’s election manifesto for Penang in 2023.
Chow rejected Lim’s claim that he was not on the ground often enough, saying he regularly made visits across the state and had not received many direct complaints about quit rent during his recent visits.
“Don’t worry, I’m always on the ground. Perhaps they didn’t want to highlight it to me. I did not see any issues about quit rent raised during my visits throughout Ramadan across all of Penang’s districts.
“Not that the people don’t have issues, but perhaps they did not highlight them to me. Don’t worry, we will continue reviewing appeals from the public,” he said.
Task force to prepare PIFC white paper, blueprint
Chow also said that a special task force had been set up to prepare a white paper and blueprint on the state government’s proposal to establish the Penang International Financial Centre, as part of efforts to turn Penang into a technology and finance hub.
The task force will be chaired by Chow, with the state secretary as deputy chairman, and include state officials, agencies and private sector representatives.
An international consulting firm will be appointed to assist in preparing the documents, which are targeted for submission to the finance ministry by the third quarter of this year.
Chow said recent capital outflows from Dubai and other parts of the Middle East had opened up opportunities for safer investment destinations in Asia.
He said three Penang-based companies had already responded to an earlier expression of interest exercise, although the initiative would not be limited to them and other parties could still be involved later. - MSN/FMT
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