Umno: We want to replace Koh as Penang BN boss

Umno is seeking the chairmanship of the Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) now held by Gerakan, saying it is necessary to strengthen the coalition’s position in the state.

Penang Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the request for the chairmanship was reasonable because Umno held all the seats won by the BN in the state in the last general election.

Umno holds 11 seats while the Pakatan pact of DAP, PKR and PAS, which forms the state government, holds the other 29 seats in the 40-seat state legislative assembly.

“Other (BN) component parties do not hold any (state) seat in Penang,” Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is an Umno vice-president, told reporters last night after chairing a meeting of the Penang Umno Liaison Committee, here.

The chairmanship of Penang BN has never been held by Umno. The post is now held by Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is the Defence Minister, said he hoped that Penang Umno’s desire to take over the chairmanship would be considered by the BN central leadership.

“We are desirous of working for the BN and cooperating with the other component parties to strengthen the BN, not to implement our respective party agendas.

“We are convinced that as a party, it is impossible for us to win (any election) without the support of the other component parties,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the request for the chairmanship was not in the interest of any personality but for the sake of the party.

“It is not necessarily so that I, as the chairman of the Penang Umno Liaison committee, will be appointed as the state BN chairman. The post may be held by the state BN deputy chairman or the Opposition Leader,” he said.

On another matter, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he hoped that the post of president of the Penang Islamic Affairs Council (MAIPP) would not be given to a Pakatan representative.

He said a delegation of the Penang State Legislative Assembly would seek an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin soon to convey the matter.

The term of the current MAIPP president, Shabudin Yahaya, ends on Dec 31.


comments

guess this is umno's concept of Power Sharing? Power Sharing to umno means : Umno grab everything for itself.

Why is Koh Tsu Koon still in Penang? GERAKAN is a dead duck. Dead duck should be made into duck rice. Get Tsu Koon out of there!

That is the "Good moves" by UMNO, that will further strengthen the will of the Chinese, Indian and PR supporters in Penang, especially the Chinese will never allowed the chief minister post to be given away so easy to UMNO. In another word Chinese in Penang have to uphold LGE or DAP in Penang. Bye bye KTK. Are you still going to act like "Sotong"!!! Take Gerakan and leave this racist coalition. For the supporters of Gerakan, make sure you are not sink together with Gerakan's sampan. Time to leave and joint PR.

So what have you to say use money no offence (UMNO)lackey tansi Tan Sri Koh.Or will your Gerakan running dogs start barking and yelping. Where is the brave Gerakan Youth Oh just like his master Tansi Tansri Koh shaking in his balls (ai yeah no balls lah) with his tails between his legs lah. UMNO is abandoning you lah Gerakan so why remain the loyal running dogs?

MR.Koh This is not something new. You knew the trick.Give the post away now cos simple umno wants it and they are greedy for it. Then use your trick as how you got the senatorship and landed as minister. You will make up for what you give in now.

This is an expected move from UMNO. The lifting of Ahmad Ismail's suspension was only a prelude. Now all eyes on Gerakan President Dr Koh, what would he do? Ultimately, nothing. He will say, leave to BN Supreme Council or Najib; and they will say, give to UMNO, then Dr Koh will give a long explanation and comply "for the sake of BN unity".

Frankly, what can we Penangites expect of Dr Koh? As President since 308 he didn't do any thing to revitalise Gerakan except continue to bodek UMNO. Now that he has got the minister post, do you expect him to fight back, in the interests of Gerakan? If Dr Koh had Gerakan in mind he would have refused his minister post and concentrated on rebuilding Gerakan. All of us know where his priority is.

In Penang, do you expect Dr Teng, Penang Gerakan State Chairman and his lieutenants fight back? Dr Teng will perhaps make a feeble protest but he won't and he can't do much because he and his lieutenants still have the dependent mentality believing that they will need UMNO’s votes to win back their lost seats. This is wishful thinking of course, but what can you expect from these people with the culture of kowtowing to UMNO firmly embedded in their heads?

Well the sad thing is, these Gerakan state chieftains, like their President, have no guts and will not fight back and will allow themselves to be stepped on by Ahmad Ismails from UMNO. Isn’t it the fate of eunuchs? After all, their existence is dependent on UMNO - the emperor.

In the final analysis, it is logical for BN not to be led by Gerakan - a party of no consequence in Penang. It may not be a bad thing to let UMNO take over. In this way Gerakan can continue to lick UMNO’s feet without any qualms. Penang voters will be clearer what BN, sorry UMNO, stands for. Penang voters also do not need to have a second thought for Gerakan since they have chosen this subservient role.