Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) announced it will retain Barisan Nasional’s (BN) state executive councillor in the state administration until the next general election. The decision was made at a Penang PH meeting on August 8, 2026, based on the electoral pact formed during the 2023 Penang state election [1, 2, 3].
The BN executive councillor staying in office is Datuk Rashidi Zinol, who serves as chairman of the State Rural Development, Agrotechnology and Food Security Committee [1, 2, 3]. PH Chairman and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the coalition aims to "strengthen cooperation among the component parties and accelerate the reform agenda that forms the basis of PH’s struggle." He emphasized the need to analyze every seat ahead of the 16th general election and engage with the growing Undi18 voter group [1, 2, 3]. Chow also warned that "the coalition could not afford to be complacent about its performance, as public perceptions and sentiments often changed faster than facts." [2]
In the 2023 Penang state election, PH and BN formed a unity government by winning 29 out of 40 seats contested. The seats were divided as follows: DAP won 19, PKR 7, Amanah 1, and BN 2 [1, 2, 3]. PH expressed confidence in its strength based on the state administration’s stability, integrity, efforts to boost economic growth, attract investments, create jobs, and implement people-centered policies [1, 2, 3].
The unity government formed in 2023 has persisted with the retention of the BN exco seat, reflecting the ongoing political cooperation in Penang. The next general election is widely anticipated as the next major political milestone for the state coalition.
