KLANG, 22 APRIL, 2012: The Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party (MMSP) has welcomed the appointment of Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow as the new Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, saying it is a timely move to recapture the Penang state from the opposition in the upcoming general election.

Its president, Datuk R.S.Thanenthiran said the appointment was an honour to Teng from the BN leadership.
   
"I believe Teng's experience in politics and government administration will be a boon to the coalition in romping home a resounding victory in Penang during the upcoming general election," he told Bernama after closing a motivational seminar organised by the party here, today.
   
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced that the appointment of Teng took effect today.
   
Teng, a former state executive councillor and former assemblyman for Padang Kota, succeeds Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
   
Commenting further, Thanenthiran, who is also Penang MMSP chairman, said Teng should look into many problems besetting the Indian community in Penang especially in getting decent jobs and low-cost housing schemes.
   
Meanwhile, Thanenthiran said the party was getting good response from the Indian grassroots for the special task force called Gerak Sakti set up by the party at various Indian settlements to counter allegations and lies spread by the opposition against BN.
   
For a start, he said, Gerak Sakti would concentrate on reaching Indian grassroots in Temerloh, Mentakab and Maran in Pahang in an effort to secure more votes for the ruling coalition in the next general election.


- Bernama