KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon
is set to recommend party secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow to Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for consideration as the new Penang Barisan Nasional
(BN) chairman, according to party sources.
The sources said the party leaders discussed the matter during a meeting
last night and it was decided that Teng should be recommended for the position
after Dr Koh informed them of his intention to relinquish the post of state BN
chairman.
"The party president will discuss the matter with the PM either at the next
BN supreme council meeting (which will be next year) or on other occasion.
"It has to be decided by the BN chairman as the BN constitution clearly
stipulates that the appointment can only be made by the BN supreme council when
it relates to BN state liaison committees," said a party source.
It was reported previously that Teng and Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Ong
Thean Lye, who is also Dr Koh''s political secretary, are the front-runners for
the position.
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GERAKAN-CHANG YEOW 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
While Dr Koh remained coy on the matter, he did say the matter had to be
discussed further and that Article 23(2) of the BN constitution stated that it
was the BN supreme council chairman’s prerogative to appoint the state chairmen.
"Better to follow procedure and respect this prerogative," Dr Koh told a
press conference today when announcing his decision not to contest in the next
general election.
-- BERNAMA
AT MNY MGN