analysis While the leadership transition from current Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik to his deputy Dr Koh Tsu Koon is inevitable, a cloud of doubt hangs over Koh's position as Penang chief minister.

Faced with challenges from both within and outside the party, Koh has much to mull over.

Koh would need to relinquish his Penang chief minister's post as it would be a natural progression for him to succeed Lim's Energy, Water and Communications ministerial portfolio after the next general election.

Lim has declared that he would not retain any official positions during a press conference at the party's 35th national delegates conference, saying that he could now relax while Koh will bear the burden of party duties.

As for Koh, he risks creating a party split should he unwisely pick the wrong successor. Presently, frontrunners for the number two post is Gerakan vice-president Dr Teng Hock Nan and secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye.

However, Koh might have the option of forgoing any cabinet ambitions as his chief minister's post is being eyed by both Umno and MCA.

Penang roulette wheel

Penang Umno Youth recently wanted the chief minister's post to be rotated as it claimed that the predominantly-Chinese Gerakan government, which has been ruling the state for decades, had been neglecting the Malays.

Whereas MCA had once attempted a coup d'etat when two assemblypersons from Gerakan crossed over to join MCA after the 1999 general election. As a result MCA had four state assemblypersons more than Gerakan.

However, MCA's ambition was doused by the then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad which has led to the perception that Gerakan was under Umno's supervision.

On the other hand, Gerakan faces stiff competition from Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP who have strong support in the Malay and Chinese-based constituencies in the state.

PKR advisor and former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim is still highly influential in the Malay heartlands in Penang as he hails from Permatang Pauh, while DAP currently has four parliamentarians from Penang.

Koh's dilemma

At the press conference today, Koh was again mum on whether he was willing to relinquish the chief minister's post, often regarded as Gerakan's 'crown jewels'.

"It's still too premature to say anything," he told reporters.

Hence, we may only know Koh's fate after Lim steps down.

"It appears that Lim's retirement will mark the start of Koh's dilemma," quipped one party observer.

In another development, a resolution was passed allowing the deputy president to be acting president if the latter's term has been served for more than 18 months.

Anything less will require a party election to be held within 60 days to fill up the post.