GEORGE TOWN: A slight rise in the Malay population does not automatically mean a Malay chief minister for Penang, a political analyst said.
Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk, director of the Centre for Policy Research at Universiti Sains Malaysia, said demographic changes alone were insufficient to determine who leads the state.
His comments followed a call by Rakan Muda Persatuan Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pemenang) for a Malay chief minister to be considered, citing 2025 Statistics Department data showing Bumiputeras at 46.2 per cent of Penang’s population, surpassing the Chinese community at 43.7 per cent.
Pemenang described the shift as a “significant milestone”, marking the first time Bumiputeras emerged as the state’s largest ethnic group.
But Azeem said the assertion appeared premature.
“Demographic change alone is insufficient to bring about a change in the state’s political leadership.”
“Under the current electoral configuration, there are only 15 Malay-majority constituencies out of the 40 seats in the Penang state legislative assembly.”
“This number falls well short of what would be required to determine the appointment of a chief minister based solely on ethnic representation,” he told the New Straits Times.
Azeem said the selection of the chief minister ultimately depended on which political coalition commanded the confidence of the majority of assembly members.
“As such, a marginal increase in the Malay population does not automatically translate into greater political representation or executive leadership,” he added.
He said if the objective was to align political representation more closely with demographic realities, the more consequential factor would be a redelineation exercise resulting in a larger number of Malay-majority constituencies.
“Without significant changes to constituency boundaries and electoral outcomes, demographic shifts by themselves are unlikely to alter the leadership structure of the Penang state government,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has held the state’s top executive post since 14 MAY 2018. Since 1957, Penang has been led by five chief ministers, all from the Chinese community.
The lineage began with Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, followed by Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Lim Guan Eng, before Chow took office.
Source: New Straits Times
