KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Datuk Mah Siew Keong was chosen as Gerakan’s new president at the party’s 42nd National Delegates Conference 2013 today.
The deputy post was retained by Cheah Soon Hai while three vice-president posts were won by Asharuddin Ahmad, A. Kohilan Pillai and Teo Eng Twe, the Star online portal reported.
52-year-old Datuk Mah, who was Gerakan acting secretary-general, had gone up against the party's Penang chairman Datuk Teng Chang Yeow, 49, in a straight fight for the president post.
Acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn, who had led the party since last May, declined to defend his post at this year’s conference to pave the way for younger leaders to helm the party.
Mah is a former MP of Teluk Intan (1999-2008), a former deputy minister and former Gerakan Youth chief (2002-2008).
He assumed responsibility as party acting secretary-general on May 11 following Teng's resignation as the party secretary-general and Barisan Nasional (BN) Penang chairman.
A total of 2,298 national delegates voted in this year's party elections.
