STATE level ties between BN component parties, Umno and Gerakan hit a snag last week when Umno announced its intention to seek chairmanship of the Penang Barisan Nasional (BN). Penang Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the move was necessary to strengthen the coalition's position in the state. "We are desirous of working for the BN and cooperating with the other component parties to strengthen the BN, not to implement our respective party agendas.”  Read here

The post is now held by Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. In response to the announcement, Dr Koh rejected the call, emphasising that the post had been held by Gerakan leaders for more than 35 years. "It would not benefit any party by raising the issue again, instead it may only damage BN's image in the eyes of the community in Penang and elsewhere. We will object to any such move," he said. Read here

State Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman in a counter reaction, stressed that Gerakan does not have the right to reject the state Umno leader's request as the decision is up to the national BN chairman who is also the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Read here

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib has maintained that any decision on Penang Umno’s intention will be made based on Barisan’s consensus and that before any decision is made, all component parties would be consulted. Read here. Also, read here for reactions from other BN components parties on this issue.

Other news

• SIA quits Penang-Singapore route after 30 years: After three decades of serving the Penang-Singapore air route, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has finally called it a day. SIA decided to terminate its flights between the two islands on Dec 1 with the emergence of several budget airlines on the route. Read here
• Census on hardcore poor families in Penang to be ready next year: The result of the Statistics Department's census on the number of hardcore poor families in Penang will be known early next year. Read here
• Water rebate for poor in Penang to be discontinued next year: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng announced that the water rebate given to the poor in the state would not be continued next year. He explained that the assistance which cost the state government RM17 million was given because of the high price of fuel. Read here
• Gerakan's Huan quits party: Gerakan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, whose three-year suspension has yet to be lifted, announced his resignation from the party. Read here
• Penang govt to help Dell workers who accept VSS: The state government will help workers who have been made jobless under Dell Malaysia’s voluntary separation scheme (VSS) exercise. Read here
• Penang bags award for halal industry: The continuous effort by the state government to position the state as an international halal hub was duly rewarded at the recent "Malaysians Halal Industry Excellence Awards 2009." Read here
• Local councils need to approve free standing structures in Penang: Telecommunication companies which intend to erect towers or free standing structures in Penang will now have to get planning permission from the local councils. Read here
  

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