BN convention postponed as mark of respect for Chong Eu

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — The much-awaited Barisan Nasional (BN) convention, which was scheduled to be held this weekend, has been postponed to December 4 and 5 as a mark of respect for former Penang Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, who died last night.

The news first broke earlier today when Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin posted a message on the popular micro-blogging site Twitter.

“The BN convention scheduled for this weekend has been postponed to 4-5th December as a mark of respect for the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu,” said the Rembau MP, who could not be reached to comment further.

Shortly after Khairy’s announcement, other BN leaders confirmed the news.

PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas told The Malaysian Insider that he contacted BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and the latter confirmed the postponement of the convention.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was supposed to have a dinner meeting with key BN leaders the night before the convention, but it has been postponed to make way for the late Tun’s funeral. The convention will now be held on December 4 and 5,” Kayveas said.

The Penang government today ordered the state flag to be flown at half mast as a sign of mourning over the death of Dr Lim.

Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon also said there will be a lying-in-state ceremony at the Dewan Seri Pinang hall for the former chief minister.

The mourning will continue until Chong Eu’s funeral, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in a statement.

Chong Eu, who was Penang chief minister from 1969 to 1990, died at his home in Tanjong Bungah last night after being warded at Penang Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit for almost a month following a stroke.

The BN convention next week is expected to spring some surprises and pave the way for changes in the ruling coalition’s bid to strengthen its position.

Tengku Adnan revealed last week that the surprises could include amendments to the BN constitution.

Najib had announced last weekend that the BN will accept members directly into the ruling federal coalition, in what is seen as an attempt to widen its appeal ahead of snap polls speculated for early next year.

The BN supreme council approved the move to accept direct members, similar to a scheme undertaken by its predecessor, the Alliance.

Other changes to the coalition’s constitution include allowing politicians who are not aligned to any party to join the BN as associate members.

The Malaysian Insider also understands that the Umno supreme council meeting scheduled for tomorrow has also been postponed. - Malaysian Insider