A party insider raised this poser today after a picture of Gerakan defectors appeared recently apparently to discuss Gerakan’s internal problems.

The insider claimed Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) Vice-President Huan Cheng Guan and former PKR MP Tan Tee Beng were seen in the picture with outgoing Penang Gerakan Chairman Teng Chang Yeow. Huan and Tan were former Gerakan members.

In a snapshot of a group WhatsApp chat made available to FMT, it appeared that Huan posted a picture of the meeting, with the caption: “In view of the recent Gerakan internal squabbling, talk (sic) is ongoing between PCM, Tan Tee Beng and Teng Chang Yeow”.

PCM is an independent, but BN-friendly party based in Penang.

It was learnt the picture was taken yesterday at the Penang Gerakan headquarters.

Also seen in the picture were acting Penang Gerakan Chairman Oh Tong Keong, Jelutong Gerakan Chairman Ng Fook On, state Gerakan Secretary Hng Chee Wey and Penang Gerakan liaison committee member Lee Boon Tian.

The insider said it was unusual and unethical for Teng to talk about internal party matters with outsiders.

The Gerakan leader also said it was in defiance of a gag order issued by party President Mah Siew Keong to Penang Gerakan recently.

“It is interesting to note people like Huan and Tan returning to the Gerakan fold to speak on party matters.

“But is it right for Teng to meet those who had betrayed Gerakan in the first place?

“Is he joining hands with them to ensure the demise of Gerakan?” the insider said.

Recently, a senior central Gerakan leader warned that feuding parties within Penang Gerakan had made it vulnerable, and could ensure that it would lose the state Barisan Nasional chairmanship to Umno.

The leader said Umno was vying for the post as Gerakan was seen as too docile and in tatters to lead Penang BN.

However, Umno later said it had no intentions to lobby for the post and would continue to work with Gerakan.

Mah then ordered Penang Gerakan leaders to stop issuing media statements. He said such statements would give their opponents an advantage and only continue to weaken the party.

The party insider claimed that party members seemed to be disrespecting Mah’s gag order.

The insider claims Penang Gerakan’s well-known “cybertrooper” had run down two senior divisional leaders after the gag order.

“That cybertrooper had the gall to say that he would comply with the gag order, but went ahead and continued airing dirty laundry in the Chinese papers.

“If this continues, how are we to contain the feuding blocs within Penang Gerakan?”

The said cybertrooper had told China Press yesterday that two divisional leaders had allegedly never attended the party’s state liaison committee meetings.

The insider added that such cybertroopers ought to check Teng’s attendance, before running down others.

“I would like the cybertrooper to check Teng’s attendance for meetings since 2008.

“I am sure he will find that he was absent at most of the meetings.” the insider said.