Teng: Gerakan's prerogative to stay or leave BN

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan today told off deputy Penang Umno chief Datuk Rashid Abdullah for meddling in its affairs.

"For Gerakan to stay on in Barisan Nasional or to leave Barisan Nasional is absolutely the decision and prerogative of its members. Nobody should tell us what to do," said Teng in a press statement released today.

Yesterday, the deputy chairman of the Penang Umno liaison committee was reported to have accused Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon of being a BN "party spoiler" for voicing out the desire of a majority of party members for Gerakan to pull out of the coalition.

"As a leader, he must be responsible to the coalition. He needs to set the course for Gerakan and make his position clear. After all, a fish rots from the head down," Rashid had said.

He added that such "factions can leave if they want to".

Teng blasted Rashid for his "totally uncalled for" remarks and reminded him to abstain from making further insinuations as the BN had proper channels for discussing and deliberating component party issues, that is at the BN supreme council and the management committee.

Teng, who is also Gerakan state chairman, said that Rashid was in no position to challenge Gerakan's stand as he is "only the Nibong Tebal Umno division chief and liaison committee deputy chairman".

"I wonder whether he made this comment so as to obtain political mileage in his up and coming division contest," Teng questioned.

He also took umbrage at comments made by another BN ally, MCA state deputy chief Lau Chiek Tuan, who had allegedly said that Koh was "hiding behind party members' opinions".

"During this uncertain political climate in the country where Gerakan is going through its party elections, Umno itself is facing its worst ever political turmoil and MCA is facing a big challenge in its upcoming party elections, I would like to request all BN component party leaders and members to speak with care and sensitivity so as not to further aggravate the present political situation," he concluded.