Teng Chang Yeow lambasts Gerakan central leadership for manipulating candidates’ list in Penang

Sin Chew Daily, 16 Aug 2016

(Penang 15 Aug) Without naming them, Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow accuses several veterans in the party trying to manipulate candidates’ list for General Elections in Penang when he is on leave.

He said he is the best person knowing the scenario in Penang state. He urges several central leaders to do their homework prior to playing political games with him. He also hopes that they do not cause internal rift at this critical moment. They can wait till next state election to remove him.

At the Jelutong Gerakan division annual general meeting, Teng openly criticised some party veterans and leaders in a rare manner.

He said those veterans thought that he “did not see nor listen”. He noticed everything instead.

He revealed that when Jelutong division submitted the candidates’ list of Sungai Pinang division to party headquarters, some claimed that the candidates were not suitable and rejected the list by proposing other candidates. However, the latest list was not accepted by division and members of coalition in Barisan Nasional.

He said those people claimed that the latest candidates’ list are the best candidates for Sungai Pinang. However, of the candidates, some have never participated in party activities. Some may be living in Penang but have never participated in activities carried out by the division, let alone activities organised by Jelutong division.

Request party central leadership to explain to grassroots

“Those people dare to say they understand Penang? Do they know the need of Jelutong? We submitted the list, they turned down but proposed another candidate.”

He said party central leadership is empowered to decide and he is not against the decision by the leadership. If the central leadership’s decision differs from the state or division, his usual style would be inviting the central leader to personally explain to grassroots.

He said Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong personally explained to the division in Penang but the entire division took a stand to reject the candidate proposed by party central leadership.

Jelutong division chairman Wu Fu An said all the party members in the division are prepared for the 14^th General Elections and hope the division to achieve breakthrough.

DAP is the political enemy, not to confront with central leadership

Teng also said as state chairman, he takes a stand of not confronting against central leadership. This is not his style.

He said he is well aware that his political enemy is DAP. Party leadership should also know who the enemy is. Otherwise the battle can’t be continued.

He said those who kicked up a fuss over the matter were afraid of standing in state election but tried to influence the party leadership. This is a very dangerous act.

Teng said he has never criticised party leadership in open. But this time those leaders have gone overboard. He also warned them not to continue playing politics or he would not be stopping at this level next time.

“To us, Jelutong is an important area in next General Elections. The area has one parliamentary seat and three state seats. Our unity is very important. If we can’t deliver in next General Election, it would be even more difficult in future.”

He said the division and he respect the decision by party leadership. But he hopes the central leadership would listen to their target and views in order to achieve breakthrough in Jelutong in next General Elections.

Zenith–BUCG suing Jason Loo Jieh Sheng, Teng wants the state government to explain

On Penang Gerakan Acting Youth Chief Jason Loo Jieh Sheng being sued by Zenith –BUCG for libel, Teng questions the state government whether the latter encourages the contractor to sue or allow the contractor to sue for fear of the contractor?

He said the doubts raised by Loo were based on public interests. The state government would have to answer those queries to clarify doubts that people have instead of allowing the contractor to sue Loo.

“When you were an opposition party, you raised questions to all the people. Barisan Nasional has never stopped you nor encourage any company to take legal action against you.

He said the incident proved that state government did not fulfil the so-called deliver, reliable and transparent policy.

He also criticised Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s inconsistencies on public transport issue. “When Barisan Nasional talked about building monorail during 2013 General Elections, Lim issued statement said Penang needed electric car in order to rebut Barisan. Now when people say they need electric car, Lim said someone sabotage from behind.”

“Penang has been indecisive on public transport issue. This is because until today Penang does not have a development blueprint. The blueprint is only stored in one person’s head. He like this today, he will be talking about this. He likes that he would act on that.”