I’m no proxy to anyone, says Baljit

Gerakan delegates must not love Chang Yeow less, but to love the party more.

GEORGE TOWN: Baljit Singh today vehemently denied that he was a proxy planted by Dr Teng Hock Nan to challenge Teng Chang Yeow for the Penang Gerakan chairman’s post.

He insisted that he was contesting on his own free will as members desired an internal change. He also said that he has the backing of a young enthusiastic team for he has no political baggage.

Baljit said it was him, as courtesy, who informed out-going state party chairman Dr Teng on his decision to contest against Chang Yeow.

“Dr Teng did not ask me to stand. I told him that I’m standing for the post.

“I’m proxy of no one. I belong to no one. I belong to Gerakan,” Baljit, the state Gerakan Legal and Human Rights Bureau chief, told a press conference.

Also present at the media meet to lend support were party state vice-chairmen Lim Boon Han and Ng Siew Lai, secretary Lim Boon Ben, division heads Tan King Chee of Bagan and Teow Jit Meng of Kepala Batas and Dr Thor Teong Gee.

If elected in coming Sunday’s polls as the state chairman, Baljit pledged to strengthen the party unity at all levels; and reposition Gerakan back as a multiracial party.

He further emphasised to shed its image as a Chinese chauvinist party and transform it as an effective and efficient opposition outfit to defend the rights of Penangites.

He also said that Gerakan must represent the voices of the people without fear or favour towards anyone.

Gerakan needs young leaders

He also plans to recruit and train young members into true Gerakan citizens while engaging the veterans to play a pivotal role in guiding them.

He said only a young leader without political baggage can provide an effective check and balance to the state government and speak without fear or favour on public issues like housing, corruption, high-density and high-end developments in the state.

He said those with baggage cannot be an effective opposition in the state because rivals can hit back to shut them up.

“The young leaders dare to exercise their rights and tick off wrongs; including likes of Perkasa. We dare to tell them ‘shut up and sit down’”, said Baljit.

Baljit insisted that he would not hesitate to speak out against Umno and Barisan Nasional to safeguard public interests.

Baljit has his gang

Baljit’s face-off against party secretary-general Chang Yeow has been labelled as a David vs Goliath situation.

The perception gained strength when Baljit received only one nomination as compared to Chang Yeow who obtained 14 to contest the said position.

But an unperturbed Baljit said nominations would mean nothing during the Sept 15 polls when 399 delegates cast their votes.

He said he just wanted one nomination because he did not want to show his “gang of supporters.”

On his absence during yesterday’s nomination, Baljit said he was away to Kuala Lumpur to attend a relative’s wedding.

Baljit also denied having any rift with Chang Yeow; adding that he does not see any disadvantage for not being an ethnic Chinese.

He said Gerakan delegates were matured enough not to fall into the racial trap, and that only a low class mentality politician would play racial cards.

“I believe Teng Chang Yeow will also not play racial cards,” he said.

He called on Gerakan delegates not to love Chang Yeow less, but to love the party more.

“The welfare and interests of Gerakan is paramount,” Baljit told newsmen.

Gerakan was wiped out in Penang in the last two general elections, after ruling the state for 39 years.