Chow to be sworn in as Penang CM (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN: As expected, Chow Kon Yeow will be the new Penang Chief Minister, succeeding Lim Guan Eng who is now the Finance Minister in the Cabinet of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He becomes the fifth chief executive of the state.
Lim said an official swearing-in of Chow will be held at Seri Mutiara, the official residence of Yang di-Pertua Ngeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas today.
He is confident the new leadership under Chow, who is also state DAP chairman, will bring Penang to greater heights, and hoped that the state will continue progressing well under his leadership.
Lim reiterated that the state's debts had been reduced, while his 10-year administration has been widely praised.
This, he pointed out, was proven after Pakatan Harapan (PH) not only won 37 state and 11 parliamentary seats in Penang, but had also received majority support from voters in Barisan Nasional (BN) strongholds.
Lim foresees the mainland of Penang becoming one of the nation's important hubs in the future.
Lim urged the people to attend the mega ceramah that will serve as an introduction for Chow as chief minister, as well as a farewell ceremony for the new Finance Minister, at the Esplanade tonight.
"Although, I will start a new job soon, Penang will always be in my heart. I will always come back here as you can take me out of Penang but you cannot take Penang out of me. I'm a proud Penangite," the newly-elected Bagan MP and Air Putih assemblyman said.
Chow, meanwhile, hoped the state and newly formed federal government will have a good relationship after this.
"With Lim as Finance Minister designate, we hope the state can get more funding for flood mitigation projects," he said.
Chow, 59, was the state exco member in charge of Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation since 2008.
He won the Tanjong parliamentary and Padang Kota state seats in GE14.