DAP deputy secretary-general Chong Eng said the “first test” for Teng Chang Yeow, a month after taking over the office of the state BN chief, is whether he puts the interests of the people first by making a stand on the privatisation of the port.

NONE Chong Eng ( right ) questioned why Teng had said the port issue is not within his purview when he had made a policy announcement on the matter.

“Why does he make an excuse by saying that? To avoid the issue of the privatisation of Penang Port?” she queried.

“On the other hand, he did not want to state his stand on whether he agrees with the granting of the privatisation of Penang port to Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary’s company,” she added.

“It is obvious that he adopts such an attitude in the interests of Barisan Nasional, rather than the interests of the people,” she stressed.

Shipping operators worried

Recently, Teng had announced his first project would be to restore the free port status of Penang should BN regain Penang in the coming general election, Malaysia’s 13th.

However, Teng’s reluctance to state his stand has “intensified doubts and worries” among the shipping and logistics operators over the plan, said the Bukit Mertajam MP.

She added that the operators are worried that the Transport Ministry may grant the privatisation rights to Penang port to Syed Mokhtar’s company - Seaport Terminal (Johor) Sdn Bhd.

Syed Mokhtar’s company may not put in much effort to develop Penang Port as a regional hub, rather than Johor Port which is under his control in order to avoid competition, she added.

“As Penang BN chairperson, how could Teng say it is none of his business? Isn’t he concerned about the future economic development in Penang?” she queried.

“Or, as Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik had said, Teng is Penang BN chairperson in name only. He is merely a puppet of Umno, thus he is unable to speak and dare not make his stand.”