The “public tiff” between Penang state executive councilor in charge of local government Chow Kon Yeow and Chief Minister’s chief of staff, Jeff Ooi, does not augur well in the state government, said Penang Gerakan secretary Ong Thean Lye.

In a statement, Ong said both are key leaders and “not seeing eye-to-eye on issues concerning the state administration will only erode public confidence.”

“The detention of Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin for questioning over alleged illegal quarry activities by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday and speculation that Ooi and the state’s strategy adviser Liew Chin Tong are considering quitting their posts only lend weight to public perception that the state government is facing a crisis,” Ong said.

Chow was reported in the newspapers including The Star yesterday that he should be the one to quit instead of Ooi, who is also Jelutong MP, if the performance of local councils in the state was not satisfactory. Chow was responding to Ooi’s earlier statement that he (Ooi) would relinquish his post once he completed several tasks entrusted to him. His announcement followed speculation that he was resigning and reports that he was unhappy with local councils.

“Ooi should know that he does not have to resign because of other people’s weaknesses unless he made such a statement because he wants that person to resign,” Chow had said.