A former Gerakan leader is upset about allegations that he is master-minding a signature drive to table a vote of no-confidence against current state party chief Dr Teng Hock Nan through an extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

Parti Cinta Malaysiahuan cheng guan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan (right) said it is not possible for him to meddle in Gerakan’s affairs as he is no longer a party member or delegate.

“Everyone in Penang knows that the current state leadership is a liability to Gerakan and BN. Therefore, calling for leadership change is a positive sign and will definitely revitalise the party,”  said Huan, a former Gerakan elected vice-preisdent.

“I wish the members good luck. Gerakan will survive if it practises grassroots first, rejuvenation now and removes the rotten apples within.”

He had left the party last year to join the newly-formed PCM,which  is currently based in mainland Penang.

When news about Gerakan’s leadership problems became public last month, there was speculation that Huan was behind the campaign to end Teng’s political career.

On Friday, a group within the party, dubbed the ‘voice of the grassroots’, submitted 60 signatures to the state liaison committee calling for an EGM to pressure Teng to step down.

The group has appealed to the 393 state delegates to back the no-confidence vote against Teng on Oct 10 and to decide the future direction of the party, which had governed Penang from 1969 up to the March 2008 general election.

Youth wing’s support

Yesterday, the party’s 1Malaysia Bureau, headed by members of the Youth wing, publicly expressed the need for reform by getting rid of Teng.

Bureau chairperson Dalbinder Singh Gill said he fully supports the EGM and urged all delegates to keep in mind the voice of the youth within and outside the party.

“The padr teng hock nan interview 241108 02rty urgently needs cleaning up. I'm sure, by popular demand, the next possible chairperson of Penang Gerakan will take the party to greater heights in line with the constitution and ideology,” he said.

Teng (left), however, has played down the matter, saying Gerakan should focus on other issues of greater importance and urgency.

"But since the group has submitted the signatures (for the EGM), everything has to be handled according to the party constitution," he said.

It is still uncertain whether the group of 60 will go ahead with the meeting, as national chairperson Koh Tsu Koon has indicated disapproval of the move.

"Whether there is an EGM or no EGM, I hope we will be more cooperative, effective and that there will be more solidarity in the party," he added.