Gerakan: Mah Siew Keong is the new party president

(The Star) – Datuk Mah Siew Keong was chosen as Gerakan’s new president at the party’s 42nd National Delegates Conference 2013 on Saturday.

The deputy post was retained by Cheah Soon Hai.

The three vice-president posts were won by Asharuddin Ahmad, A. Kohilan Pillai and Teo Eng Twe.

Gerakan acting secretary-general Datuk Mah Siew Keong went up against the party’s Penang chairman Datuk Teng Chang Yeow in a straight fight for the president post.

The post was vacated after acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn, who had led the party since last May, declined to defend his post to pave the way for younger leaders to helm the party.

Mah is 52 years old while Teng is 49.

Mah is a former MP of Teluk Intan (1999-2008), a former deputy minister and former Gerakan Youth chief (2002-2008).

He assumed responsibility as party acting secretary-general on May 11 following Teng’s resignation as the party secretary-general and Barisan Nasional (BN) Penang chairman.

Meanwhile, 39 candidates vied for the 18 Central Committee positions.

A total of 2,298 national delegates voted in this year’s party elections.