By Hawkeye
GEORGE TOWN: It would be an uphill task for Barisan Nasional to recapture Penang in the next general election, says Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow.
It is tough as the coalition has to deal with a host of sentiments and socio-economic and racial issues plaguing the country, he said.
This requires time to heal, Teng added.
A greater effort must be made to convince the voters about the positive qualities of the BN, he said.
Nonetheless, the coalition, especially Gerakan, should not give up but intensify its effort to convince the people that it still remains relevant to the country, he said.
He added that Gerakan needs to open its communication channels wider to its members, particularly the grassroots to improve its standing.
"We must stay patient and continue to make the necessary changes to stay the course," Teng said in an interview.
Commenting on the recent disclosure by Penang Gerakan chairman Dr Teng Hock Nan that there exists a shadowy group out to oust him, Teng said he is not taking sides.
However, he questioned the need to reveal to the media about the matter, saying it is strictly an internal issue.
"It only concerns 300 delegates (those who vote in the state-level election). Why must an entire town be told about it? We must communicate among ourselves."
There is no need to refer to the media, he said, adding that the party can use e-mails and short messaging system (SMS) to communicate better.
On Sunday, Teng revealed that a group of members is on a signature campaign to call for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to oust him.
The group is trying to obtain about 50 signatures to convene an EGM to table a no-confidence motion against Teng, who was elected to the post for a three-year term in September, 2008.
Meanwhile, state Gerakan Youth head Oh Tong Keong has denied that he is behind the move to overthrow Teng.
He said he was surprised that some members were inclined to believe that he was plotting such a move.
It's tough to recapture Penang, says Gerakan
