State Umno liaison committee chairman Zainal Abidin Osman said it held a “cordial and complementary” relationship with Gerakan in the larger BN coalition in Penang, and would continue to do so.
“Penang Umno has never suggested nor lobbied the prime minister to take over the state BN chairmanship. We never brought this up in our committee.
“The appointment of BN chairman in states is the prerogative of the PM,” he said in a statement today.
Zainal was responding to FMT’s story titled “Umno to take over Penang state BN chairmanship?” published last week.
A senior Gerakan central committee member told FMT that Umno is keen to wrest the state BN chairmanship, traditionally held by Gerakan.
The leader had said Gerakan’s internal problems, feuding blocs and seemingly docile character had rendered the state BN weak to counter the DAP-led government.
A veteran Umno leader was to have recommended a Penang Umno leader, who is presently a Federal minister, for the BN chair in the state.
Meanwhile, Zainal also said it would throw its support behind state BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow to wrest Penang from the DAP.
“The state BN chairman’s position does not come with any political nor administrative powers.
“… except it comes with trust, responsibility, tasks and hard work. It was never coveted.
“Penang Umno will support Teng as state BN chairman to restore Penangites confidence in BN,” Zainal said.
Penang Gerakan’s troubles have come out in the open after one of its members, Dr Thor Teong Gee announced his resignation after another leader’s berating of him surfaced in Chinese dailies.
Following FMT’s story, Malaysiakini reported that there was indeed “an internal crisis”, quoting current and former leaders of the party.
The leaders interviewed by Malaysiakini said Penang Gerakan was led by “puppets and followers” instead of “leaders and intellectuals”, thus confirming the alarm raised by a central committee member to FMT.
When contacted by FMT, Teng declined to give any comment.
However, he told Malaysiakini: “After you write such a nice story whacking me, the gag order came in, so I cannot reply.”
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