Teng too 'tarnished' to helm Gerakan top post

Not everyone in Penang Gerakan applauds the state's liason committee's support for their chief Teng Chang Yeow to join the contest for the post of party president.

According to lawyer Baljit Singh (left), who had fought against Teng for the state chief's post in September and lost, Gerakan has better leaders who can assume the post instead of Teng, a former state BN chief, and outgoing Gerakan secretary-general.

Balijit is claiming to represent the voices of those who wish that Gerakan reverts back to being a truly multi-racial party and one which can speak up strongly against the party's "big brother Umno" and the current DAP-led state government.

Teng, he said, should stay in Penang as the state requires a proper check and balance, saying Gerakan's role in this is important.

"Teng has to accept the reality that the perception in Penang is not in favour of Gerakan at the moment. We lost worst in 505 (the May 5 general election) than we did in 308 (March 2008) when former state BN chief Koh Tsu Koon led the team," Baljit told Malaysiakini.

Teng had quit his state BN post when the coalition failed to recapture Penang in the election.

"I am not saying he is not capable, but that it is better he stays in Penang and be a good opposition.

"If he goes for the national president's post, what will happen to Penang Gerakan? It would be his secondary focus," said Baljit, who heads the state's legal and human rights bureau.

He was referring to state liason committee secretary Oh Tong Keong's (right) statement yesterday that Teng should contest the post as he is "strong-willed, outspoken and seems (to have an) insurmountable leadership style".

Oh said Teng's "great management and political experience" as state councilor, state assemblyperson, political secretary to former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon and state executive member makes him the best candidate for the post.

Teng, when contacted, said he was still mulling whether to join the race, admitting that he was aware of the negative comments made against him.

No need for ‘sweeteners’

Nominations for the post is this Saturday and so far, there may be about three contestants eyeing the post - Teng, acting secretary-general Mah Siew Kong and former secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye.

The polls is scheduled to take place on Oct 26, at the party's National Delegates Conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Explaining further why Teng should not contest in the coming presidential election, Baljit claimed that the general perception of members is that Teng ran away from his constituency in Padang Kota when he contested the Bukit Tengah state seat on May 5, losing to PKR.

"This made it worse for Gerakan. From being known as a Bo Hood(no balls) party, we are now known as Kay Bo (cowards)," he said, referring to the two phrases in Hokkien often used by the party's critics in Penang.

The party was labelled "Bo Hood" as it was often perceived as "subservient" to Umno, especially when it comes to racial and religious issues.

"Under Teng, in 505, Gerakan did worst among young voters, where we were almost wiped out. We also did not manage to get much votes from senior citizens.

"Let's be honest. Don't listen to those with syok sendiri (feel good) syndrome, go out to the ground and ask people what is the perception on Gerakan.

“If leaders want to blindly listen to these (syok sendiri) group, then God save Gerakan, because they are giving the leaders the wrong perception," he said.

Baljit added Gerakan is in need of someone without a tarnished reputation to helm the top post.

"We need a humble, hardworking, and sincere leader who can speak out against corruption, and can stand up to Umno," Baljit quipped.

Baljit further urged delegates at the National Delegates Conference to vote for individuals who can best lead the party and not to engage in money politics by choosing those who can provide them with “sweeteners”.

"Love Gerakan, don't love RM (ringgit) more," Baljit urged.