Both, for instance, deliver fiery, “street-fighter” style political speeches.

Some even say Teng, coming from a generation of “mild-mannered” government leaders symbolised by former Penang chief minister Koh Tsu Koon, is trying to emulate Lim to endear himself to the people of Penang.

In an interview with FMT, however, Teng swiftly dismissed such opinions, saying he was the real deal.

“I am a straightforward person and I do not hold grudges. If I don’t like something, I will say it to you. We might have different views, but rest assured, I am not your enemy, I am your friend,” he said.

Teng’s claim to being “the real deal” can be attested to by some senior reporters who remember his no-holds-barred debates in and out of the state assembly.

Today, the 54-year-old is charged with leading the BN battalion in Penang for the May 9 general election for the second time since 2013.

Teng, who is also Penang Gerakan chief, is tipped to be chief minister if BN wins Penang.

He has held the Padang Kota seat for three terms, from 1995 to 2008. He also served as a state executive councillor in charge of tourism development and the environment from 2004 to 2008.

From 1997 to 2004, he served as chief minister Koh’s political secretary.

In the 2008 polls, Teng lost the Padang Kota seat to state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow. In the last polls, he contested the mainland state seat of Bukit Tengah, which he lost to PKR.

Prior to his career as an assemblyman, Teng was a municipal councillor in Penang island, serving a total of three years from 1992.

Teng has come a long way in politics, starting off as executive secretary of the Gerakan party in Penang in 1991.

“I never once imagined that I would lead the party I once worked for. I have to thank former CM Koh and other great leaders in Gerakan, for I have learned a lot from them,” he said.

The Teng political family

Teng’s affinity for politics comes as no surprise as he hails from a family deeply rooted in politics on both sides of the divide.

His elder brother, Teng Chang Khim, is Selangor DAP vice-chairman and was once the state assembly speaker. Today, Chang Kim is a Selangor state executive councillor in the PKR-led state government.

Teng’s uncle is Boon Soon, who was once Tebrau MP and served as deputy minister of national unity, culture, arts and heritage in 2008. Teng’s father meanwhile is a MCA grassroots man in Batu Pahat.

Asked if he shared political notes and strategies with his siblings, Teng was quick to say “no”.

“When we meet, we do not talk about politics at all. I guess all of us know not to overstep our boundaries,” Teng said before steering clear of the topic.

Final round in politics if defeated

Teng said he was lucky to have served under Gerakan leaders such as ex-chief minister Lim Chong Eu, Lim Keng Yaik, Toh Kin Woon, and Chia Kwang Chye.

Of all the leaders, he said, he remembered Keng Yaik’s pearls of wisdom the most.

“I remember in 1999 when Keng Yaik told me what being in politics meant. He told me, ‘Teng Chang Yeow, politics is about human relationships.’ So from then, I have always sought to build on them,” he said.

Teng said the political culture practised by the opposition was the politics of hate, which was against Gerakan’s principles.

He said despite the shocking loss of Penang to the opposition, Gerakan had never retaliated by engaging in the politics of hate.

On plans for the coming polls, Teng kept his cards close to his chest, despite rumours swirling that he would contest an island seat.

He said however that the seat would be a “mixed seat”.

“Who knows, I might even return to Padang Kota,” he added with a laugh.

On a more serious note, Teng said this would be his last round in politics if he failed to win.

“This will be my sixth and final attempt. If I lose, I will call it a day in politics. Let the young take over.”

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