Gerakan acting president Chang Ko Youn has hit out at Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, saying he can do no wrong.

"When I was young, I was told that the Pope is infallible but it seems in Penang now, tokong is infallible," he said, referring to Guan Eng.

NONE The label "tokong" (deity) was first used by former Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mansor Othman to describe the way Guan Eng's supporters hero-worshipped him.

Chang ( right ) said Guan Eng is currently the most popular politician among the developers and "towkays" (tycoons) alleging that the CM makes decisions favouring them.

He added that former chief minister Koh Tsu Koon was "too strict and followed rules" and hence, developers and tycoons were purportedly not happy with him.

"For tokong, everything is okay. It's him who makes all the decisions, not the state executive councillors. Is this what Penangites want?" he asked Gerakan delegates present at the party's state headquarters at Jalan Macalister today.

"There is no need to go through state exco or state planning committee? How about public consultation?" he queried.

Chang was complaining about the unhappiness of certain quarters over the state development policy which allows a density increase of almost three fold (87 units) per acre.

'Í won't sue'

At one point, after his jibes at Lim ( below ) to the delegates, Chang stopped and quipped, "I better stop speaking or else I will be sued".

"He will sue, sue, sue...those who go for his press conferences are always scared of making mistakes, must write properly or else you will be sued," he joked.

NONE "As for me, don't worry, I will not sue you."

Chang later officiated the event that will see 399 state delegates will vote for the state new chairperson and six state liaison committee members today.

Former state BN chief and Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow and state legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh are vying for the top post, while six will be elected among the 14 members nominated for state liaison committee.

Meanwhile, Chang said the biggest winner at the 13th general election is Umno, not the DAP.

"Who is dominating the cabinet now? We have to handle the situation," he said.

Chang said Gerakan will have to deal with the reality of the politics in the country and continue to fight for the people.

Teng: Avoid corruption

Meanwhile speaking to Gerakan delegates for the last time as state chief, Teng Hock Nan reminded members not to be corrupted or to join the corrupt.

He said he has not forgotten the late party advisor Lim Keng Yaik who once related the Chinese proverb "you may be in the same dirty pot, but you can stay clean (take a different path)".

"It is this that keeps Gerakan clean. But his saying is no longer valid," he spoke to the full hall.

NONE "The reality is politicians must have more will, determination and courage, to stay away from corruption and money politics," he added.

Teng ( second from left ) said many think Gerakan is "finished" after its defeat in the 13th general elections but that perception is wrong as the party is still relevant.

Teng said Gerakan is not about to close shop soon as it has comrades who "care and love" the party.

Despite not appearing so at present, Teng said Gerakan is united and will persevere to pay a "constructive opposition role" in Penang.

In today's state party polls, several young leaders were elected by the 13 divisions and 198 branches to leadership positions.

Rowena Yam and H'ng Chee Wey are now state Wanita and Youth chiefs respectively, taking over from Ng Siew Lai and Oh Tong Keong.