Gerakan has found an unlikely ally in the DAP over the attacks against its deputy president and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon by the state's Umno Youth.

Penang DAP chairperson Chow Kon Yeow ( right ) said today that Koh enjoys strong mandate from the people of Penang and should not be intimidated by the actions of Umno Youth.

"There's no reason for Koh to play a subservient role to Umno," Chow who is also Tanjong MP told reporters in Parliament House today.

The Gerakan-led government has the support of Penangites as evident from the results of the 2004 general election, Chow said, adding that the criticisms against the chief minister were 'outrageous and untenable.'

He said Penang DAP had accepted the voters' decision to let a Barisan Nasional party form the state government with 'grace and humility'.

"Koh should use the electoral mandate to bring more development to Penang," Chow added.

Others also marginalised

At the same press conference, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said recent criticisms levelled against Koh by Penang Umno Youth were rare.

Their main grouse was that Koh, the next Gerakan president, had neglected the Malays in the state, in terms of their welfare and development.

Lim said that the marginalisation of Malays in Penang was indicative that many Malaysians were being sidelined in the country's economic development.

Citing United Nations index on Income Disparity, he said Malaysia was ranked 99th out of 125 countries in terms of inequality in income distribution."Marginalisation of all Malaysians is a problem. The country has the highest income disparity in South-east Asia. By state, Penang has the lowest poverty rate. Umno should make noise about the 25 percent poverty rate in Sabah," Lim said.