GEORGE TOWN, Sept 15 — Newly-elected state Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow said his task now was to rebuild the party from within, following drubbings in two consecutive general elections.
“We need to put in place changes internally such as putting in place training for our members and ways on how we handle issues in Penang,” he said in a brief press conference at the Penang Gerakan headquarters after the party state conference today.
Teng was elected state chairman after he garnered 220 votes versus the 106 votes garnered by his opponent, Baljit Singh.
On whether he will resume his post as the state Barisan Nasional (BN) chief, which he had resigned from after the party’s dismal showing in the May 5 general election, Teng said he will need to discuss this with the other BN components.
“The ultimate decision is up to the prime minister,” he said.
Teng also acknowledged the existence of different factions within the party, but said this was indicative of a healthy democracy.
“If there were no factions within a party then it would be a dictatorship. It is how the party leader manages it that matters,” he said.
Baljit later told a press conference, however, that there is no room for factionalism in Gerakan.
“We will all co-operate and work with Teng for the betterment of the party because the fight is outside the party, not within the party,” he said.
A total 328 delegates from 13 divisions attended the state party elections today.
