With the 12th general election expected to be called soon, speculation has mounted about who will contest where and the million dollar question in Penang is whether Koh, who was appointed acting Gerakan president last year, will contest a parliamentary seat and thereby succeed Lim as Gerakan’s sole cabinet minister. Lim, 70, is minister of energy, water and telecommunications and will not contest in the coming polls.

Koh, 59, has been Penang chief minister for four terms since 1990.

In an interview with theSun, Lim said despite what some critics say, Koh is still the right man to lead the state.

"Penang is okay with (Koh) Tsu Koon there (and) I am very confident," said Lim. "He is experienced and has integrity and he will lead Penang. Tsu Koon has shown himself to be a selfless and dedicated leader."

He added: "I have heard some rumblings (about his leadership style) but I also know that (on) the ground he is very popular, because they know (his work). They see his sincerity, they see his working pattern and he goes all out to work for them."

"Those people who think that they know better do not think very much of him," Lim acknowledged. "They want someone who is more aggressive, which Koh is not. We know this but whatever weaknesses and faults, he is still the best man for the job."

Political sources say Koh’s biggest critics are businessmen who feel he takes too long to decide on development projects; thereby making doing business in the state cumbersome and costly.

Koh was just 41 when he was propelled to the CM’s post after the long-serving Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu was toppled in his state seat in the clash of titans with DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang. Although Lim won, DAP just failed to wrest the state as it garnered 14 seats against the Barisan Nasional’s 17. It was the closest the DAP ever came to grabbing Penang, long a target of the Opposition.

In subsequent elections, BN and the Gerakan have won comfortably, even in 1999 when the anti-BN reformasi wave swept the country. This is one strong reason why, despite his critics, Koh’s electoral track record in leading the state is solid.

Aside from those who want him out as CM, there are also some in Gerakan who feel that the party chief should be in the federal government to give the party more influence in national policy making and implementation.

But Lim, who himself stayed one extra term as state executive councillor of Perak after becoming party president in 1981, says Koh has time on his side. "He will come to KL eventually, there is time, why worry, what is the hurry?" he said.

(Chong Eu helmed the party and also served as chief minister from 1969 until he relinquished his post as party president in 1980 to Keng Yaik and continued serving as chief minister until he lost in the 1990 general election.)

Towards the end of the interview, Lim said: "My president is waiting for me now and you are preventing him from seeing me."

True to Lim’s words, Koh strolled in for a meeting with his mentor and adviser, leaving no room for doubt that Lim still plays a major role in decision-making in the party, retired or otherwise.

Should Koh remain as chief minister of Penang, while heading Gerakan, it will not be without precedent.