Mah is new Gerakan boss

Former deputy minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong is now the new Gerakan president.

The 52-year-old won with a comfortable 1,086 votes while his sole competitor, Penang chairman Teng Chang Yeow, 49, obtained only 577 votes.

Mah was a former Teluk Intan MP (1999-2008) and also held the Gerakan Youth Chief post for two terms. He was also a party vice-president and secretary-general.

Immediately after his win, Mah, who was cornered by reporters said that he understands that he now shoulders a heavy burden.

"We acknowledge that Gerakan is facing challenges, a lot of challenges but I think if we work together as a team I’m sure we can bring the party up again,” Mah told reporters at the Gerakan headquarters at Menara PGRM.

Mah also urged party leaders and members to “come together” as a family following state, national and now party elections.

On allegations that delegates calling for Gerakan to leave BN, blaming UMNO for their loss, Mah said that he has not heard serious calls in that respect.

“We will hear the opinions… I think we still have a role to play in BN, we still have confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Razak to lead the country.”

Delegates described Mah as a capable, moderate leader while Teng was regarded as being more vocal. However, a substantial number of party members preferred Teng to concentrate on Penang matters.

The presidency post was vacated after acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn, who led the party since last May, declined to defend his post to make way for younger leaders.

His predecessor, Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon had immediately stepped down after Gerakan's poor showing in the 13th General Election.

Meanwhile, the party's new deputy president is Kedah chairman, Dr Cheah Soon Hai. Cheah won with 1,113 votes, defeating Kuala Lumpur chairman Ma Woei Chyi, who received 545 votes .

The three vice-president posts were won by Asharuddin Ahmad (1,104 votes), A. Kohilan Pillay (1,144 votes) and Teo Eng Tee (1,226 votes).

Two other who lost were Loo Yeng Peng (623 votes) and Syed Abdul Razak Syed Long Alsagoff (766 votes). Candidate Gordon Leong Vui Cheung pulled out earlier in the initially six-cornered fight.

The winners for the 18 Central Committee (CC) positions are (by order of votes obtained): Liang Teck Meng, Dominic Lau, Lau Hoi Keong, Jayanthi Balaguru, Lau Chin Hoon, Lim Si Pin, Peter Pang, Ng Chiang Chin, Choong Vee Hing, See Tean Seng, Vincent Hooi, Ng Siew Lai, Parameswaran Ganason, Baljit Singh, Yap Kim Heng, Dr Thor Teong Gee, Ch’ng Boon Chye, Dr Ng Keong Chye.

These were picked out from a total of 39 candidates who vied for the CC posts.

A total of 1679 delegates attended the conference, which was a 71% attendance out of 2298 eligible delegates.

The official results was announced by Gerakan Terengganu chief Yap Kia Peng .

Meanwhile, Teng declined to elaborate on his loss, saying that winning and losing is part and parcel of politics.

"This is a small matter. I should not be commenting on the factors. The delegates have chosen. What is important is unity," said Teng.

Teng said that he was not disappointed.

"No, I don’t feel disappointed. You either win or lose. When you are up, don’t be too happy, when you lose don’t be too sad."