Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik has stepped down as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary after six years of service.

Lim announced that Ng had decided to step down from the post on his own accord, so as to concentrate on his MP duties.

"I thank Ng for his time as my political secretary for the past six years. He is stepping down on his own free will and at his own suggestion as his MP duties keep him in Parliament at least for three months.

"His duties as a parliamentarian also include him going overseas. He felt that he would be away about three months, and so with full responsibilities, he felt he should step down. After a discussion with me, I agreed," Lim added.

Ng will be relieved of his post effective March 10, and is to be replaced by Air Itam assemblyperson Wong Hon Wai ( right ), who is also state legislative assembly backbenchers' club chairperson.

Lim said Wong will take his oath as Lim's new political secretary next week after he attends the opening of Parliament on March 10.

He added that Ng, however, will continue to play a role in the state government and that his new responsibilities will be announced soon.

Ng, who is also State DAP Socialist Youth chief, became well-known as the Komtar assemblyperson after winning the seat in March 2008.

Ng has a colourful personality, courting several controversies during his tenure as Lim’s political-secretary.

Recently, at the DAP state elections last year, Ng lost his post as the Penang DAP secretary.

According to sources then, Ng lost his post as he was seen as being closely aligned to Lim, the DAP secretary-general, whose team put up a challenge against those led by state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow.

Lim has two political secretaries, the other being Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari.

Both Lim and Chow, who is also a state executive councillor, have denied there were separate teams in the state DAP.

“Wei Aik’s win or loss is according to normal democratic process,” Lim said.