The delegates who voted for the motion of no confidence against Penang Gerakan chief Teng Hock Nan have claimed a “moral victory” despite failing to pass the no confidence motion by 29 votes, resulting in a status quo.

Gerakan state Youth vice-president H’ng Khoon Leng, who was one of those who had supported the emergency general meeting today, said Teng cannot ignore the high number of delegates who did cast a votes against him today.

“The fact that there were 145 persons who voted against Teng shows that many have lost confidence in him,” said H’ng after the results were announced.

NONE “Teng ( left ) must now address the various issues that have been brought up by the delegates," he added.

At the end of the voting process, 145 out of 322 delegates voted in favour of the no confidence resolution, while 174 was against it, with one spoilt vote.

Technically, only about 55 percent of the delegates wanted Teng to stay, while about the same number wanted a change of leadership so that the party can seek reforms.

“But nothing could be done now as the delegates have stated their wishes. The voting process went on fine and we must respect the results. The delegates want to maintain the status quo” he said.

“We know it is always very difficult to defeat the incumbent (Teng); so there is nothing else we can do now,” he added.

'Time to close ranks'

At a press conference after the result, party president Koh Tsu Koon, who surprised delegates when he turned up to vote this morning, urged members to respect the results of the EGM and to close ranks despite their differences.

gerakan egm 101010 teng hock nan victory Koh, who is also minister in the Prime Minister’s department, said that although there were hurtful words uttered between certain quarters during the campaign to get delegates to cast a no confidence vote against Teng, those involved must be prepared to " maaf zahir dan batin “ (apologise wholeheartedly).

Koh, who was criticised by party advisor Lim Keng Yaik for not being able to attend the EGM earlier, said he would continue to play a supportive role in Penang.

Lim resigned as the party’s advisor after condemning Koh publicly for not handling the Penang crisis in a proper manner.

“There are bound to be differences, but it is good as it gives us a chance to understand each other’s diversity and we have to respect others,” said Koh.

Koh said he was still the BN chair in Penang, but the coalition has to accept the political situation following its defeat in Penang after the March 2008 elections.

He added that he does not see the EGM as a setback to the party, as the event has “galvanised” its members into action.

“We should harness the energies that have arisen out of the EGM and the willingness of members to come out, for whatever reasons, so that we can put our party in order,” he said.

"The important thing is that the democratic process went on smoothly and the delegates made their decision.

"We have to look far ahead now as the challenge is huge, especially in the next general election," he said.

Dr Koh called on Penang Gerakan members to be united and forgive one another in the interests of the party.

He also reminded Dr Teng to work harder as he had been given the mandate to lead the party in Penang.

'More time needed'

Meanwhile, a victorious Teng, called for more time for the state leadership to address the various issues raised by his detractors.

Among the grievances noted was Teng’s poor leadership and his inability to bring Penang Gerakan forward especially for the coming general election expected to be held next year.

However, he also commended delegates for being disciplined during the voting process, saying the democratic process has gone on smoothly without any hitches.

Teng said he would address the issues raised by several groups – in particular, the Youth wing , pro-reforms lobby group GerakLah Gerakan and another calling itself “voice of the grassroots’.

“This shows that the delegates have put their party above their own interests,” said Teng, who had earlier declared he would quit if delegates wanted him to.

“The delegates have stated their wishes and have sent us a message, so all the leaders in Penang, and not me alone, have to work harder to get the support of not only Gerakan members, but Penangites as well,” he added.

“But the high number of votes against the petition of no confidence against me is an encouragement for us to continue to work hard in the future,” he stressed.