Penang Umno has welcomed the re-appointment of Penang Gerakan chairperson Teng Chang Yeow as the state BN chief.

Penang Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman said Penang Umno would give full backing to Teng in leading the coalition in the state.

"We will be a constructive opposition (in Penang) towards working for the overall well-being of the people in Penang. I firmly believe the people of Penang need a strong opposition to act as a 'check and balance' on the doings of the state government.

"It is hoped with the re-appointment of Teng as state BN chief, the people of Penang will be well served by a good opposition," Zainal ( left ) told a press conference after attending Island College of Technology's 13th convocation in George Town today.

Teng received his letter on his re-appointment as the state BN chief from Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also BN chairperson, on Tuesday.

It was with immediate effect.

Teng had quit the post in May last year after Penang BN did badly in the 13th general election.

He was first appointed to the post in April 2012, succeeding former Penang Chief Minister and former Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon.

On another matter, Zainal Abidin said the college's management was liasing with Universiti Sains Malaysia to forge a smart partnership so that it could attain university college status.

He also noted that the federal government spent more than RM1 billion annually for education in Penang.

The convocation saw 83 students receiving their scrolls. Also present was the college's chief executive officer Abd Halim Muhamud.

- Bernama