Wong Chun Wai, Wong Sai Wan
The Star

PENANG: Incumbent Padang Kota Assemblyman Teng Chang Yeow has emerged as the front-runner to become the next chief minister of Penang.

Outgoing Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon is expected to name his successor within the next few days, possibly even as early as today.

It is understood that the Gerakan acting president has decided on Teng, his former political secretary of eight years, to take over the state’s leadership.

Over the past 24 hours, talk of Teng becoming the next chief minister had gained momentum.

He is said to have overtaken two other potential candidates for the state’s top post – senior state executive councillor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and party’s rising star Datuk Lee Kah Choon.

It is not clear whether Dr Koh, who headed Penang for 18 years, has scheduled a press conference today but party officials said they were aware of the speculations.

Former Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik surprised reporters at Teluk Intan yesterday when he suddenly took a phone call during a press conference and announced that it was his successor on the line.

After 10 minutes, Dr Lim returned to the room and told reporters that he and Dr Koh were discussing the Penang chief minister issue and stated that “it was in the final stages and an announcement could be made as early as today.”

A graduate of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Johor-born Teng was appointed a state executive councillor for tourism development and environment in 2004.

Teng’s family is very much involved in politics. His father was a staunch MCA grassroots leader, his elder brother is Teng Chang Khim, the Selangor Opposition leader, and DAP Sungai Pinang incumbent assemblyman, and their uncle is the MCA incumbent MP for Tebrau Teng Boon Soon who is seeking to defend his seat.

Chang Yeow faces DAP’s Chow Kon Yeow for the Padang Kota state seat.

It is understood that the leadership preferred Dr Koh to name his successor to prevent lobbying.

Said an official: “More importantly, we want to send a message to Penangites that a young chief minister would bring dynamism to the state.

“The state needs to be forward-looking and having a fresh leader will certainly be part of rejuvenation and hope,” he said.

Another earlier favourite was Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye. He was regarded as a possible successor until he was retained by the party to contest a federal seat.

Dr Koh is contesting the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat after having kept the Tanjung Bungah state seat for the last four terms.

Chang Yeow’s selection has surprised analysts as he was regarded as an “outsider” in the race for the chief ministership.

But some officials said although Dr Koh is said to prefer Dr Teng, the age factor was against the latter.

“At 62 years, he is older than Dr Koh who is 59.

“You cannot have an older man to replace you,” one official said.

Others in the party warned that there was still last minute lobbying for the 48-year-old Lee as he “is a born and bred Penangite.”

Some within the party wanted the CM-designate to be announced later so as not to split the party, but others wanted to show to the electorate that a new leader had been chosen.