GEORGE TOWN: Newly reelected Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMPP) president Rizal Faris Mohideen had a message for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng: I am back.

Rizal won the DPMPP presidency uncontested during the DPMPP annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday for a three-year term after his sole challenger, businessman Azman Shah Omar Shah, was disqualified.

Azman Shah had a heated argument during the AGM when he was told that he was disqualified as his company, Edaran Timur Jauh Sdn Bhd, had only been a member of the chamber since Dec 30, 2009 and failed to meet the requirement of a year's membership.

At a press conference to explain why Azman Shah was disqualified, Rizal said he was not afraid of competition.

Describing the election of new office bearers as a landslide victory for him and his team, Rizal said even if Azman had stood against him, he would have won comfortably.

"There were 246 delegates who voted and though I won without contest, the others in my team won with huge majorities. It clearly shows that the delegates know how to differentiate between a piece of glass and a diamond.

"I am grateful for the confidence given to me by my members and I will not let them down.

"We will be going on retreat within a month to try and sort out a plan to strengthen the chamber within next five years and come up with a blueprint and structure to help Malays in Penang.

"Tell Lim Guan Eng I am back," Rizal said.

At this juncture, the DPMPP's sole representative at the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) who was also present told Rizal not to bring up political issues, saying he should only talk about matters related to the chamber.

Rizal has been on the war path against Lim, accusing Lim of sidelining Malays in the state. He was also instrumental in organising a demonstration against Lim where an effigy of the chief minister was burnt.

Rizal urged delegates to close ranks as the chamber had a more important task at hand instead of bickering and fighting within the organisation.

Explaining the Azman Shah issue, Rizal said the chamber had contacted all the candidates for their details.

"Azman Shah himself replied that his company Edaran Timur Jauh only became a partner of the DPMPP on Dec 30, 2009.

"The constitution of the DPMPP says that anyone wishing to contest should be a member for more than 12 months.

"We had written to the national Malay Chamber of Commerce which replied on March 9, two days before the AGM, that both company and individual should have been members for at least 12 months.

"We were advised by the national body to announce this during the AGM.

"How can I stop anyone from contesting if that person is eligible according the chamber's constitution?" he asked.

The deputy president's post was won by Syed Hassan Syed Ali Aidid while Yuslinov Ahmad clinched the vice-president's post.

"I am not scared of fighting and I am always raring to go, if there is a fight.

"I am sad about this episode with Azman but I will be happy to convene a tribunal to hear his grouses and unhappiness about his disqualification if he wants," Rizal said.