After months of specualation, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has announced that Gerakan secretary Teng Chang Yeow is Penang BN chief.

Effectively, this makes Teng BN's candidate for chief ministership of Penang. Coincidentally, like the current chief minister Lim Guan Eng, Teng was born in Johor.

Najib announced this after launching the Penang BN election machinery this morning in Jawi Golf Club, Nibong Tebal.

Najib, who is BN national chief, urged all parties to accept Chang Yeow's appointment.

 

"I wish to thank Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan for his understanding that this the reality of politics, although he has contributed greatly to the party all this while," said Najib.

 He added that with the announcement, he hoped “there will be transformation in the BN leadership”.

When contacted, Chang Yeow said he would comment on his appointment at a later date.

In November last year, Malaysiakini reported that Najib has decided to appoint Chang Yeow as the leader of Penang BN.

The decision came following Gerakan president and former Penang BN chief Koh Tsu Koon’s announcement that he would not contest in the coming general election, which is expected to be called early next year but not due until 2013.

Support from Gerakan chief

State Gerakan chief Teng Hock Nan threw his support behind Chang Yeow's new leadership appointment.

NONE "This shows that BN central leadership is following the tacit understanding to allow Gerakan to lead Penang BN. Since Chang Yeow is from Gerakan, this is not a problem," he told Malaysiakini .

"We will try our best to work with him," said Hock Nan ( right ), who is expected not to contest in the coming general election.

Asked if other BN leaders can work with Chang Yeow, the senior leader said he did not forsee any problems as he would not be working alone.

On media reports that Najib has been "persuaded" to hold on the announcement by both Hock Nan and Umno leader Musa Sheik Fadzir, the former said it was merely a speculation.

"I do not need to clarify this," Hock Nan replied.