Gerakan deputy president Chang Ko Yuan confirmed today that the Penang Gerakan's emergency general meeting on Sunday will go on despite word being spread that it may be called off at the eleventh hour.

NONE Chang ( right ), who is also Perak Gerakan chief, said he had been appointed to chair the EGM, which is expected to see 393 of its delegates in the state voting to determine whether Dr Teng Hock Nan stays on as Penang party chief.

He expressed hope that the EGM would run without any hitch or untoward incidents, adding that he had received emails and SMSes saying it was not necessary for him to come to Penang as the state delegates could handle the matter themselves.

"But I would like to say that all delegates must present themselves at the EGM to vote for or against the petition. I hope for a 100 percent attendance," he told a press conference at the party's headquarters on Jalan Macalister.

To avoid allegations of bias towards either side, Chang said the party had sought the assistance of members from Kedah to help out in the EGM.

No debate at EGM, only voting

Kedah state chairperson and Derga assemblyperson Dr Cheah Soon Hai will be in Penang on Sunday to assist Chang.

"We are not like other parties, especially the DAP, which uses all means to ensure that the party stays intact," added Chang, who is also an adviser to the Perak menteri besar.

The EGM will start at 10.30am, with voting conducted for an hour.

NONE There will be no debate as both supporters and opponents of Teng have agreed to focus on the voting process.

Asked about members being influenced not to vote against Teng ( centre in pic ), Chang said it was the right of any member to try and convince delegates to withdraw from or to attend the EGM.

"It is also the right of any member to sign a petition calling for an EGM as long as it is not done in an improper manner. So far, I have not received any feedback about misconduct," he said.

He said the party constitution does not provide for a vote of confidence for or no confidence against the leadership, although by convention, it is the right of any member to table such a motion.

Chang said Article 46 of the Gerakan constitution required a two-thirds majority to remove an office bearer at a general meeting of members, whether an ordinary or extraordinary general meeting.

The EGM needs at least 50 votes, or two-thirds of the attendance, to vote for Teng's removal.