Newly-minted Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow’s vow to “fight policy to policy” with Pakatan Rakyat, has prompted the latter to remind him to do something more productive with his position.

At a press conference yesterday, three top Penang DAP leaders urged Teng to first keep his promises which, among others, includes the restoration of the state’s free port status.

Getting the ball rolling was state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow, who said Teng was now diverting from his previously stated agenda and is now embarking on a new set of topics to counter the Pakatan government - press freedom, transportation and housing.

NONE “The DAP is ready to fight policy to policy, to use Teng's own words, on each of the items he has raised, regardless of whether they are the first batch or second batch of topics,” he said.

Teng (left) is currently in his second month as state BN chief and has already drawn interest in his pledge towards a free port, creating an international financial district, creating an innovation dynamo park, creating an aquaculture hub and replacing the manufacturing industry with the service sector.

On May 27 however, Teng drew attention once again when he declared that Penang BN will fight policy to policy, and “ideals to ideals” with Penang Pakatan, rather than resorting to insults and pointing at their failures.

Teng's idea 'submerged'?

Chow said there are several questions that Teng should answer first, which includes whether his free port proposal was “permanently submerged” after the Penang BN’s so-called Team B had proposed a customs, immigration and quarantine complex (CIQ) in the port area.

NONE Team B refers to state Gerakan chief Teng Hock Nan, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Hilmi Yahya and state MCA wanita chief Tan Cheng Liang.

Chow (left) , joked out that there were currently two leaderships in Penang BN, working under the 1Malaysia banner, making three proposals - the free port, the CIQ and MCA president Chua Soi Lek’s port privatisation plan - for the Penang port.

Chow also pointed out that Teng had been silent on the cabinet endorsement of the privatisation plan of Penang Port to Umno-linked businessman Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhairy, the state DAP chief asking whether the move would stifle the state’s economy.

“If he cannot even defend his own ideas against his internal opponents, how will Teng protect Penang's interests from those trying to take advantage of her?” he asked.