Dissatisfaction appears to be brewing among Umno Youth wings in Penang over the call to rotate the state chief minister's post.

Despite Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi shooting down the proposal, four more division Youth wings in the state passed the resolution calling for the rotation.

One of their leaders even said the prime minister - who spearheads Umno Penang - was "far away in Kuala Lumpur" therefore suggesting that he may not really know what is happening.

The four wings which passed the resolutions at their respective meets over the weekend were from the Permatang Pauh, Bukit Mertajam, Bagan and Bukit Gelugor divisions.

They believe that only through a rotation process will the interests of the Malay community in the state be protected.

Last week, Umno Nibong Tebal Youth also passed the resolution, which drew flak from Gerakan, a predominantly Chinese party controlling the state for decades.

Gerakan leaders, including Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Khoon, advised the Umno wings to be careful and cautioned them against playing up racial sentiments.

However, he conceded yesterday that not enough has been done to address the problems of the Malays.

It's like the UN

Commenting on the issue, Umno Bukit Gelugor Youth head Mohd Riduan Rahim said the unanimous acceptance of the resolution reflected the wishes of the grassroots.

"The prime minister can say whatever, he is far away in Kuala Lumpur while we in Penang want changes. We want the state government to be more sensitive to the needs of the Malays.

"Politics in Penang is like the United Nations ... the United Nations talks a lot but the decision is made by America, (similarly) we talk here (in Penang) but Kuala Lumpur makes the decision," he added when contacted yesterday.

Mohd Riduan stressed that the Malays felt sidelined in all aspects, especially housing.

"Housing projects are expensive and low-cost houses are built in the outskirts and this causes the Malays to be far off from development," he said.

"The state government says there is help but they don't help us," he added.

Listen to the grassroots

Bukit Mertajam UmnoYouth chief Ramlan Ishak, who appeared less confrontational, said the wings were not 'fighting' the prime minister.

"We just want to send a message to him about the dissatisfaction of the Malays in Penang. There are many things happening in Penang which the people in Kuala Lumpur are not aware of," he added.

According to him, the state Umno Youth wanted to convey its dissatisfaction over how the state government treated the Malays to Abdullah for a long time but never had the opportunity.

"So we use the Umno Youth meetings as a channel because we feel it is an appropriate way. We hope Pak Lah will study all the problems and consider our request," he said.

Ramlan said Abdullah, as the Penang Umno liaison committee chairperson, should listen to the views of the grassroots.

Even if the chief minister's post cannot be rotated, he suggested that a new mechanism should be implemented such as giving the deputy chief minister greater executive power.

"The Malays are lagging behind in terms of economy, education and housing. The unfairness of the state government towards the Malays has gone overboard," he said.

Permatang Pauh Umno Youth deputy chief Azmi Mat Imam said the resolution on the rotation issue will be brought to the national level.

"We are not bringing this (to the national level) based on racism but based on reality. We want Koh to do something meaningful for the Malay community," he added.

Azmi said the prime minister should pressure Koh to bring changes to the current situation in Penang.