Teng was firstly elected to the
Penang State Legislative Assembly for
Padang Kota at the
1995 election, defeating
Karpal Singh. He was kept elected in
1999. Becoming Penang Chief Minister's political secretary. He was reelected in
2004 and appointed as Penang State Executive Councillor (Tourism Development and Environment), but lost to
Chow Kon Yeow (who later became the Chief Minister of Penang in 2018) in
2008. Before he lost, he was one of the potential CM candidate that could succeed Koh Tsu Koon. In the
2013 election, he contested for
Bukit Tengah, but was defeated by
Ong Chin Wen from the
People's Justice Party (PKR). In the
2018 election, Teng was announced as the BN candidate for
Tanjong Bunga, who fought against the PH unity candidate
Zairil Khir Johari. He also previously assured that this would be the last election he contests. The outcome of the election showed the worst result of the BN in the state, with just retaining 2 out of 40 seats in the state. The 2 were from the
United Malays National Organisation (UMNO); no MCA or GERAKAN candidates were elected. Chow Kon Yeow, whom Teng defeated him for 2 times before, inaugurated as the new Chief Minister of Penang. == Retirement ==