Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon has urged the media and the public to refrain from speculating over who would helm the state after him.

Koh was responding to media reports on heavy betting in Penang over who would take over the post should he be appointed to a federal position.

"The media had been very imaginative about the progress of the issue," he told reporters after a book launch in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

On Thursday, Nanyang Siang Pao reported that punters in Penang are favouring Gerakan secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye to be the next chief minister.

The daily's branch in Penang even found a prediction slip stuck to the entrance of their office in favour of Chia due to his strong grassroots support.

Chia is currently serving as Deputy Information Minister and Bukit Bendera parliamentarian, a constituency on the Penang island.

Frequent trips to KL

On April 8, Koh became acting Gerakan president after Dr Lim Keng Yaik relinquished his post as party president. Koh is expected to be formally elected party president at the next party polls.

BN component party leaders are often accorded positions of full cabinet minister.
Lim is currently holding the Energy, Water and Telecommunications portfolio, a position he is expected to vacate after the next general election, paving way for Koh.

Koh also dismissed suggestions from reporters that his frequent visits to Kuala Lumpur was a sign that he will be based here in the near future.

He that his trip to the nation's capital yesterday was apolitical but was meant to fulfil a promise to a friend who organised the book launch.

On the recently concluded Machap by-election, Koh said he was glad that BN retained the seat and expressed his gratefulness at the people for having faith in the ruling coalition.