PENANG Gerakan wants its chairman, Teng Chang Yeow, to continue leading the party in the state, despite his expressed intention to retire from politics.

Bernama reported party vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong as saying the severe defeat in the 14th general election of Barisan Nasional, of which Gerakan is a component party, could not be attributed to Gerakan alone as it was caused by a “tsunami” of people.

“After reviewing the outcome of the general election, we think the defeat is because of the ‘tsunami’, not because of the state chairman’s weak leadership,” he told a press conference in George Town today.

Oh also said that the responsibility of reviving the party was a shared responsibility.

“In order to continue the party’s struggle, we need a talented and capable leader of calibre to lead us. The party’s 13 divisions want Teng to remain at the helm.”

Oh said the party would hold a special meeting next week to discuss current issues and the direction the party was going to take.

“If Teng insists that he does not want to hold office (as chairman), it is up to the members to make their choice in the party elections, which will be held in September,” he said.

BN won only two parliamentary and two state seats in Penang in the general election. Pakatan Harapan retained the state by winning 37 of the 40 state seats. It also won 11 parliamentary seats in the state. – May 15, 2018.