Gerakan challenges Umno to contest in Chinese areas

(The Star) – Umno can go ahead and contest in Chinese-majority seats in Penang in the next general election if it is so confident of winning, said Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow.

“They can contest in the Chinese seats if they think they are capable.”

“But would that be what we think Umno is capable of?” asked Teng during a press conference here yesterday.

He was commenting on a suggestion by Penang Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that Umno candidates should be fielded in more seats in Penang for the next general election.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is Defence Minister, said the suggestion was based on the results of the 2004 and 2008 general elections, when Umno chalked up more wins than the other Barisan Nasional component parties in the state.

Gerakan, which had led the state since 1969 was essentially wiped out in 2008, winning only three state seats and two parliamentary seats – none of which were in Penang. Umno currently has 11 seats in the state assembly.

Teng told Umno to stop pointing fingers over the loss of Penang to the Opposition and also advised Dr Zahid not to harp on the Barisan’s failure to retain Penang.