According to The Star Online, Teng denied ever declaring that he would step down in the first place.

“All of us have to go eventually to make way for second echelon leaders,” he told the portal when contacted.

Malaysiakini had yesterday speculated that Teng would resign from his post at the state Gerakan meeting on May 9, but remain as Penang Barisan Nasional chief.

Meanwhile, in an interview with China Press, Teng said that politicians should retire “when the time comes” or risked being removed.

“If I am unable to change Gerakan for the better, it means that my time has come,” Teng told the Chinese daily.

In the same interview, Teng said he felt that his political views were “outdated.”

He also said he would step down if there was a power struggle in Gerakan.

When asked about rumours that he would not be contesting in the next general election, Teng said that he could not stop people from speculating.