Malaysia Penang chief concedes defeat - opposition

PENANG, Malaysia (Reuters) - The chief minister of Malaysia's Penang state has conceded defeat in Saturday's general election and said he would hand over power to the opposition, one of the state's opposition leaders said.

"At about 9.30 p.m. (13.30 GMT), the outgoing chief minister contacted me to say he will be handing over power," Chow Kon Yeow, head of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in Penang, told Reuters, referring to Koh Tsu Koon.

"He has contacted the governor. He respected the wishes of the people and hoped there are no untoward incidents," Chow said. Koh, the outgoing chief minister, had yet to make an official concession.

A lawmaker from the DAP earlier told Reuters unofficial figures showed the opposition was leading in 17 of Penang state assembly's 40 seats. Local independent news Web site malaysiakini said it was leading in six more seats.