Gerakan’s tough choices

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — Ironically, it is only now when its political influence has been decimated that Gerakan has found itself in the spotlight.

It probably receives more media coverage now than when it actually governed Penang.

The reason is simple: its members want to leave the Barisan Nasional.

As the first component party to have its elections since March 8, it is in a position to set the tone.

President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon is known to be the staunchest advocate of staying in the coalition but even he had to admit that 60 per cent of the grassroots want to leave.

And that’s a conservative figure as other sources quote 80 per cent as a likelier figure. While delegates to the national delegates conference are expected to make this issue of staying or leaving a priority, don’t expect any big news or surprises.

Koh has moved to delay the issue to a future emergency general meeting, insisting that the NDC should focus on internal party matters including what most agree to be make-or-break elections.

But even the elections are unlikely to throw up anything stunning as the only important contest is for deputy president.

It does not seem likely that delegates will back the former KL FT Youth chief Ma Woei Chyi, and will stick to the experienced vice-president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.

After all, it would be consistent with the traditional Penang-Perak formula to pick the Perak chairman.

With Koh returned unopposed, he is now in firm control of the party. Cheras division chief Dr Hsu Dar Ren, who will be running for a place in the central working committee, told The Malaysian Insider that in a debate with Koh, the party chief had said that BN must be given a timeframe to reform.

But the concern is “what exactly is the timeframe?” Every month that passes is one month less for Gerakan to start on its own reforms.

According to political analyst and Gerakan expert Khoo Kay Peng, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s announcement that he will be stepping down is the perfect tonic for Koh to keep Gerakan in BN.

“He cannot suppress the delegates from discussing the issue of leaving BN but the promise of an EGM means there is no need for a referendum on the matter at the NDC.

“Now he doesn’t have to call the EGM as he can ask to give Datuk Seri Najib Razak a chance as prime minister and it buys him a year or two.”

However, this only passes the buck back to Umno. If the party is of the opinion that Gerakan’s reliance on Umno’s hegemony was the reason for its downfall in the first place, then perhaps it can actually effect the changes demanded by the grassroots.

Some grassroots leaders have been theorising about a hypothetical and highly unlikely parallel with Umno. It involves Koh agreeing to a “transition plan” by a dissenting central working committee in the same way Umno’s supreme council ousted Abdullah earlier than he had planned.

Gerakan clarifies statement

By Shannon Teoh


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 - Gerakan has clarified the statements of its Wanita chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe with regards to the Bumiputera status of Malays to Barisan Nasional.

President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon added that it would also clarify Tan's statements to Utusan Malaysia which he claims misquoted her in their report with hopes that the newspaper would publish the note of

clarification.

"She was quoted as saying that Malays came from Sumatra. But what she actually said was that Malays came from all over the Malay Archipelago and the peninsula," he explained.

"It was a case of misreporting and misunderstanding," he said, adding that the explanation was accepted at a BN Management Committee meeting at Parliament today.

Tan was reported to have reminded Malaysians not to forget the history of their origins besides claiming that the origins of all races in the country were the same.

The Deputy Information Minister was also quoted as having disputed the status of the Malays as the original inhabitants of this country in a programme produced by a pay TV station recently.

However, despite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi yesterday stating that Tan should clarify her statements before action, if any, could be decided upon, Sri Gading MP Datuk Mohamad Aziz called for her to step down as deputy minister.

"How can a Wanita chief from a BN component say something that could hurt the feelings of Malays?" he told Dewan Rakyat.

"If I had the power, I would challenge her, if she really is a 'betina' (female), step down as deputy minister," he continued.

At this point, Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo' Lo' Mohamad Ghazali retorted that such statements were due to "BN's racist campaign in the Permatang Pauh by-election."

"This is the price you have to pay," she said, which Mohamad declined to reply to.

Gerakan co-opts Chia, Asharuddin

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 - Gerakan has co-opted former secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye as vice-president as well as Dr Asharuddin Ahmad as a central working committee member.

Elected committee members Teng Chang Yeow and Datuk Ng Chiang Chin were appointed secretary-general and treasurer respectively with Ng being returned to the post he held in the last term.

The Malaysian Insider understands that these decisions were reached in a CWC meeting today at the party headquarters, the first since last weekend's elections.

Chia's appointment was expected as after losing to vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan in the contest for Perak chairmanship, he decided not to run at national level.

There has also been calls, even by Huan Cheng Guan, the former Youth vice-chief who narrowly beat Asharuddin to the third and final vice-president slot, for the Kuala Selangor division secretary to be co-opted.

Election Results-Click to Enlarge

Koh: No quota system in gerakan leadership

by Giam Say Khoon

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 12, 2008) : Although there are three Indians in Gerakan's central working committee (CWC), the party will not practise a quota system in its top leadership to reflect its multi-racial image, said newly-elected party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Koh said the new line-up in the top leadership was a step forward in terms of greater multi-racial representation than the previous leadership.

“We are very committed to getting a more multi-racial representation and reflection within our leadership, (but) we do not practise a quota system because we want to encourage people to come out and be recognised on their merit and commitment to party ideology.

"So rather than look it in terms of quota, we would like to make it a process to encourage more participation from members of all ethnic backgrounds and they will be voted in because they are Malaysians with commitment rather than because of their ethnicity," he told a press conference after closing the National Delegates Conference here today.

The three Indian leaders are vice-president Senator Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam, CWC members Senator A. Kohilan Pillay, who is Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodity, and lawyer B. Jayanthi.

However, some delegates felt efforts to make the party true multi-racial have been unsuccessful.
A Penang senior delegate told theSun that the results proved that the party was not ready for change.

"The delegates failed to make Asharuddin a vice-president and this caused the party to lose its shine in becoming truly multi-racial.

Link to Other Stories:

Gerakan calls for repeal of ISA and an anti-terrorism law to be introduced Donald Lim -- target of attack at Gerakan conference More feedback needed to decide, says Kohilan

"Even if Asharuddin is to be appointed a vice-president by the party president, the impact on Gerakan's efforts to reach this goal would be different and not as strong as being elected," he said.

The participation of Dr Asharuddin Ahmad as the only Malay candidate in the vice-presidents race was seen to have nearly achieved the multi-racial image that the party desired.

Asharuddin, who is chief operating officer of the International College of Health Sciences, polled the fourth highest votes of 537 in the vice-presidents race after newly elected vice-president Huan Cheng Guan (568 votes).

Newly-elected CWC member Dr Hsu Dar Ren admitted that Gerakan is still very much a Chinese-based political party; however, he said the composition of the members was not so important if the members believed in the non-racial cause.

"Although Asharuddin did not win, the majority between Huan and him was just 31 votes. This showed that even with only 10% of Malay members in the party, the Chinese delegates have begun to accept non-Chinese leaders and chose them based on meritocracy.

"He (Asharuddin) was relatively unknown, if he was more well-known to the delegates, he would have won," he said.

Koh, when asked if would accept senatorship and become a minister to have a say in the Cabinet, he said: "Even without being a senator or in the government, I have been and will continue to voice out.

"Whether there is a government post or not, I will play my role, otherwise people will think I am doing this (to become party president) for the sake of a government post, (the answer is) no. And if there is a meaningful and an effective role for me to play, I am willing to play any role including not having a government post."

The new and old Central Working Committee led by Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

To a question, Koh said the party has yet to have a plan to serve in Sarawak as there are many Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, which maintain close relationships with the party, serving in the state.

Asked if the delegates had again raised the issue of leaving BN, Koh said it was not included in the debate on the five resolutions.


"There were only one or two delegates who said the party has to re-invent and rebrand as well as be more open-minded," he said.

On the relationship between Gerakan and Penang Umno, which had severed ties with each other because of the incident involving Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail, Koh said the party will decide on this matter in at some point in the future.

Asked if incumbent secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye will be appointed as a vice-president, Koh said the appointment will be discussed by the CWC members when they meet.

It is believed that Asharuddin will also be appointed as one of the five appointed veeps and former Penang executive councillor Teng Chang Yeow, who is Koh's apprentice, will be appointed as Chia's successor to be the next secretary-general.

Koh also said the party had passed five resolutions to:
> Promote democracy and human rights;
> Promote religious and ethnic harmony;
> Rebuilding the party through reforms;
> Prepare the country's economy to face global challenges; and
> Enhance the education system.

To further enhance the democracy in the country, Koh said the party proposed that the BN set up a committee or taskforce to review legislation such as the Universities and University Colleges Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

He reiterated the need for the government to implement a weekly review mechanism on petrol prices so that the people can enjoy cheaper fuel faster when the world crude oil price is lowered.

Si Pin ketua Pemuda Gerakan

Oct 10, 08 4:23pm

Lim Si Pin, anak bekas presiden Gerakan Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, dipilih sebagai ketua pemuda parti itu. Lim memperoleh 242 undi menewaskan pencabarnya Chai Tek Loong yang mendapat 105 undi dan Tan Keng Liang yang memperoleh 115 undi. Keputusan pemilihan Pemuda Gerakan itu diumum di persidangan perwakilan Pemuda, yang berlangsung di ibu pejabat parti di Menara PGRM di ibunegara hari ini. Untuk jawatan timbalan ketua pemuda, gandingan Lim, Paul Yong Yoon Kong tewas kepada Oh Tong Keong. Yong memperoleh 188 undi berbanding Oh yang mendapat 274 undi, demikian dilaporkan Bernama. Bagi tiga jawatan naib ketua pemuda pula, Liang Teck Meng mendapat undi paling tinggi iaitu 408 undi diikuti Vincent Hooi Wy-Hon (371 undi) dan David Ang Chin Tat (226 undi). Dua lagi calon yang tewas ialah S. Vijaya Kumar, yang menerima 201 undi dan Stephen Doss yang mendapat 141 undi. Sebanyak 28 calon bertanding bagi mengisi 18 tempat dalam jawatankuasa pusat pemuda Gerakan. Mereka yang dipilih ialah Tan Kok Seng, Hng Chee Wey, Alex Ong Yeok Leng, Jack Cheow Woon San, Khor Hock Peng, A.Kuhan, Lau Hoi Keong, Chong Chee Yen, Cheah Chee Kuan dan Ou Kwee Hua. Yang lain termasuk Khoo Kha Shin, Ong Teng Boon, Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, Ong Boon Hong, Tan Keit Hock, Chia Gim Tiong, Chang Shui Kiong dan Yap Chen Heng. Sementara itu, Lim, 39, ketika ditemui pemberita berkata beliau bersedia untuk bekerjasama dengan semua pihak bagi menguatkan parti dan melakukan perubahan dalam tempoh tiga tahun ini. "Saya mahu Pemuda Gerakan menjadi organisasi pemuda pertama di negara ini yang mendapat ISO 9001. Itu adalah cara untuk menguatkan parti kita," kata Lim yang merupakan seorang ahli perniagaan. Beliau juga bercadang menubuhkan Persatuan Anak Malaysia untuk menarik minat golongan muda menyertai persatuan itu. "Ini boleh menjadi platform kepada mereka untuk duduk, berdialog dan berbincang mengenai isu politik dan semasa," katanya. Sementara itu Oh, 40, yang tidak menyangka memperoleh kemenangan itu berjanji akan berusaha menarik lebih ramai anggota baru ke dalam parti. "Saya akan bekerja bersama-sama sebagai satu pasukan dengan semangat satu hati untuk mendapatkan ahli baru," katanya yang juga seorang pengurus jualan.

GERAKAN ELECTIONS: Odds in favour of non-Chinese for Veep posts

Dr Teng Hock Nan

PETALING JAYA (Oct 9, 2008) :The odds are in favour of the non-Chinese candidates in the nine-horse race for the Gerakan vice-president posts after incumbent Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan pulled out of the contest, China Press reported today.

Party insiders said Teng's pullout, which is aimed at strengthening the multi-racial approach of the party, has caused some interesting shift in support for the candidates.

Last week, 10 candidates filed their nominations to contest the three vice-president's posts, i.e. six Chinese, three Indians and one bumiputra.

Teng's withdraw from the race on Tuesday changed the ratio of the candidates' racial make-up to 5:3:1.

In announcing his withdrawal from the contest, Teng, who is now the Penang Gerakan chief, said he was doing it "in order to further promote and project the party's multi-racialism for all Malaysians, which can be best represented by three vice-presidents".

Dr Asharuddin Ahmad

"It is my sincere hope that all national delegates can vote for a more multi-racial Gerakan for all Malaysians in the coming party elections."

Party insiders said Teng's "advice" is likely to be well taken by the delegates, thus raising the odds in favour of the non-Chinese candidates, especially the lone Malay candidate Dr Asharuddin Ahmad, the first bumiputra to contest such a high post in the Chinese-dominated party.

"Asharuddin is expected to be elected with the highest number of votes. After all, the party has not seen a Malay at its top leadership before," said a party insider.

Asharuddin,, the 49-year-old chief operating officer of International College of Health Sciences, is

G. Parameswaran

a committee member from Selangor Gerakan.

Of the three Indian candidates, incumbent Datuk Dr. S. Vijaya Ratnam is expected to be re-elected. The others -- Ampang and Bukit Indah Gerakan division chairman G. Parameswaran and party Youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy — are not likely to put up a credible fight at the party elections on Sunday.

"Given this scenario, there will only be one seat left for the five Chinese candidates, making it extremely tough fight for them," added the insider.

The five are out-going Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong; Youth vice-chairman Huan Cheng Guan, former Sabah chief Datuk Robin Loh, Selangor vice-chairman Datuk Dr Lim Thuang Seng and former Selangor chief Datuk Lum Weng Keong.

Mah to again propose dissolution of BN component parties to form a single party

PETALING JAYA (Oct 9, 2008) : Out-going Gerakan Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong discloses that when he chairs the Youth delegates conference for the last time on Saturday, he will again propose the dissolution of all Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties for the formation of a BN party.

According to a report in Sin Chew Daily

today, he said although the leaders of several BN component parties criticised it as being unpractical when he first made the proposal at the Youth delegates conference last year, he still believed that this is the new course BN should chart, especially so after the March 8 general election.

"Post-March 8 surveys and studies showed that the majority of the people want to see BN becoming a single, multi-racial party.

"I feel that BN (component parties') leaders should have the courage to heed the wishes of the people, otherwise there will be an even bigger (political) tsunami in the next general election."

In an interview with the daily, Mah admitted that the BN operation module has indeed worked well in the last 50 years, but it is no longer suitable and if BN remains adamant and refuses to change, it will not be easy for the coalition to win the support of the voters inthe next general election.

Gerakan must have more non-Chinese delegates to become a multi-racial party

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 9, 2008) : Gerakan should increase the number of non-Chinese delegates to its party polls by at least 30% to reflect the political party's multi-racial image, said Kuala Lumpur Gerakan division assistant secretary, K.K. Supramaniam.

"The representation of the non-Chinese delegates in the party does not project Gerakan as a multi-racial party. We have to organise programmes to attract non-Chinese members," he told reporters after the launch of a Gerakan booklet titled 'Road Map to Political Recovery' here today.

Supramaniam, one of the 40 candidates vying for a seat on the the party's Central Committee. said out of 2,085 delegates, there were only 98 non-Chinese delegates which was hardly 4.8%.

"We can only call Gerakan as a truly multi-racial party when there are more non-Chinese delegates," he said.

Earlier this month, Dr Asharuddin Ahmad, 49, the Kuala Selangor Gerakan division secretary, became the first Malay candidate to contest a high post, that of a vice-president, in the Chinese-dominated party, after Gerakan founder and first party president Dr Syed Husin Al-Alatas. -- BERNAMA

Back to 1974

By: Regina William (Mon, 27 Aug 2007)

Gerakan adviser Dr Lim Keng Yaik

PENANG: After 33 years, Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties seem to have forgotten why the coalition was formed in 1974, Gerakan’s national adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said yesterday. He said that these days, every issue was looked at with racial undertones.

"Why did we form Barisan Nasional in 1974? Why did Gerakan join Barisan Nasional?" he asked. "Because [Tun Abdul Razak] at that time said please join us to reduce politicking so that we can carry on with the development of the country. "We have now forgotten that," he told some 500 party members attending the Penang Gerakan annual delegates conference.

The Alliance was formed in 1952, comprising Umno and MCA, and later MIC. It later expanded with the inclusion of other parties, like Gerakan and the People’s Progressive Party, to form the BN. "It is 2007 now, and 33 years after the BN was formed, we have forgotten what Barisan Nasional is.

Even Barisan Nasional parties have forgotten the reason for bringing up Barisan Nasional. "Now it is ‘Lu toh lu, waa toh waa’ (Hokkien for you do your own thing and I do my own thing). "Everything is reflected in racial terms and nobody cares about Malaysian terms, nobody cares about Bangsa Malaysia, either Malays, Chinese, or Indians or others and I think we must come back to basics," Lim said.

"Gerakan must keep to its political ideology and philosophy and we have to hold fast to our non-racial approach, to look after the multi-racial people in this country, that is our political philosophy and ideology.

"We must engage that because the situation in the country, from what I see, is getting worse," he said. "Our stand must be a Bangsa Malaysia stand and not one based on race."

Also present were the party’s 34 central committee members, 287 delegates and 150 observers, including acting party president and Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Lim said that Gerakan had a role to play to remind BN of its original objectives to reduce racial and religious politicking, and to concentrate on development. "In 1974, we were just starting to develop and we worked together to build the nation and we have come a long way in terms of development. "Now that we have ‘arrived’, we have forgotten our roots and our tendency is more on the differences between the various races and religions," he said.

"However, we are now facing globalisation and if we do not put our hearts and minds together, we are going to be wiped out. "Whatever gains we have made in the last 33 years will be thrown down the drain because we cannot keep up with the competition anymore ... we have to work harder to compete with the rest of the world and not among ourselves," he said. Lim observed that there was no shortage of people who played the race and religious cards, including those who were not politicians.

"If we go (on) like that, we will die standing la," he said. Commenting on Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim’s comment that Malaysia should consider doing away with English common law, Lim said it was not up to Ahmad Fairuz to decide on this.

Any change in the legal system would need to be passed by the legislature. "I don’t care, if he wants to send me to jail. Not much time left for me to be in jail anyway," said Lim, who had the delegates in stitches. To mark the 50th Merdeka, Gerakan has come up with T-shirts with the words "I love Malaysia" and "I love Penang", which were distributed at the conference. Koh called on the government not to make any drastic decision to do away with the English common law, which has been part of Malaysia’s legal system for more than 50 years.

"The government must ensure that the calls for change are not for emotional or political reasons. There is no need to change a system that has worked well," he said. He said improvements could be made to the legal system and to ensure that the judiciary functioned efficiently, without having to resort to changing the system drastically.

Referring to Ahmad Fairuz’s comments at a law seminar organised last week, Koh stressed the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and the rule of law, which have built a good reputation for Malaysia among foreign investors.

"The English common law has worked well and must be maintained and we cannot allow this to be changed to a system which has yet to be tested, as it will damage our integrity and credibility and investors will lose confidence," he said. He said the removal of provisions under Section 5 of the Civil Law Act, which are related to trade and commerce, could affect investments.

Earlier, in his speech, Koh said Malaysians should not let their greatest strength, which is being multi-racial, multicultural and multi-religious, become a liability. He said these features of Malaysian society, including its multi-lingual ability, allowed the people to communicate with 75% of the world’s population. He said Malaysians must take full advantage of this. "If we’re squabbling among ourselves and fail to accept this multi-faceted asset, it can become a liability."

He called on Gerakan members to counter all forms of extremism."We cannot counter racism with racism, or we would be committing the same crime.We have to take a non-racial approach – the Bangsa Malaysia approach."

Lim praises theSun’s Malaysian approach.

PENANG: theSun was singled out at the Penang Gerakan annual delegates conference yesterday for being "Malaysian" in its reports and for not playing on communal sentiments.

Gerakan national adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik was chiding local newspapers for writing on issues with racial undertones. "The Chinese press takes one side and the Malay press takes another side," he said. "Is there any Malaysian press where we can talk as

Malaysians and as Bangsa Malaysia? Is there any?" he asked.

"theSun!" he said to applause from the delegates. Lim, who is energy, water and communications minister, said it would not augur well for the nation if all the newspapers resorted to reporting based on racial sentiments. Pointing at journalists covering the event, he said: "All of you newspapers, I am scolding you, but I think I have the right, after 35 years in politics, to scold you if you are doing the wrong thing.

"We must admit we are a multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural country. "You cannot play on one race only. If you do that, you are going to burn us all alive and this is the message I give to our Gerakan members."

Chia not contesting due to 'unhealthy culture' in Gerakan

Kong See Hoh

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7, 2008) : GERAKAN secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye says unhealthy culture in the party is a reason why he has decided not to run for any national post in the party central elections on Saturday.

Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye

Chia, who lost to vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nam in the contest for the Penang Gerakan chief post narrowly recently, said he had sensed the emergence of the unhealthy culture as early as the March general election.

"I feel that if I join the contest for a senior party post, the unhealthy culture might become worse. As such I have given up the contest, to see how I can improve and rectify the situation.

"If I were to contest, (I would) definitely have gone for the deputy president or president's post, which would likely result in tougher fights and an even more unhealthy situation," Chia said in explaining to Sin Chew Daily why he opted out of the contest, a decision which surprised many.

However, the former Bukit Bendera MP did not elaborate on what he meant by unhealthy culture in the party.

He also did not blame the Penang delegates for his defeat in Penang, saying what is important "is to accept and respect the decision of the delegates".

He said even if he had won the contest for the Penang Gerakan chief post, he would not have gone ahead to contest a national post as he wanted to put all his efforts in helping to rejuvenate Penang Gerakan, which he said "is important to the party although it is a small state".

He said he contested the state chief post because he wanted to revitalise Penang Gerakan with his years of experience as party secretary-general.

He said despite the defeat to Teng, he would remain focused in Penang, including cultivating a healthy political culture.

"As such, I will not explain anymore or look for reasons (why I lost). What I want to do is to look forward and forge ahead." --theSun

GERAKAN ELECTIONS: Teng not defending veep post

Himanshu Bhatt

GEORGE TOWN (Oct 7, 2008) : Newly-elected Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan has withdrawn from the party's vice-presidential race in Saturday's central elections.

Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan

Teng, who secured the highest number of votes in the vice-presidential elections three years ago, said his decision was to give Indian and Malay candidates a stronger chance of being elected.

That leaves nine candidates to fight it out for the three vice-presidents' posts up for grabs, including three Indians - incumbent Senator Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam, Ampang Gerakan chairman G. Parameswaran and party Youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy.

The sole Malay candidate is Kuala Selangor Gerakan secretary Dr Asharuddin Ahmad.

The other candidates are former Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong, former Penang Youth chief Huan Cheng Guan, former Sabah chief Datuk Robin Loh, Datuk Dr Lim Thuang Seng and former Selangor Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Lum Weng Keong.

Teng said his decision was made to "further promote and project the party’s multi-racialism for all Malaysians which can be best represented by three vice-presidents.”

“It is my sincere hope that all national delegates can vote for a more multi-racial Gerakan for all Malaysians in the coming party elections," he stressed.

He added that he had the blessings of party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and adviser Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

When contacted later, Teng stressed that this was the first time in the memories of most members that there was such a multi-racial contest in the party.

"I find that this is the first time that all three main races are contesting for the post of vice-president,” he said. "I have to withdraw."

It is, however, believed that Teng has a chance of being appointed as a vice-president or at the least as a party central committee member.

Koh has the power to appoint up to five additional vice-presidents, and six non-elected party members into the central committee. --theSun

No debate on whether Gerakan will leave BN at delegates meet

Giam Say Khoon

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3, 2008): Gerakan's national delegates conference next week will not feature any debate on whether the party should leave the Barisan Nasional, an issue that has been in the news lately, its secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said today.

Chia said this is because he has yet to receive any resolution on this matter from any state. He said he had only received five resolutions -- on human rights, politics, economy, education and party affairs.

"However, if the delegates wish to express their views on this matter (of BN membership), they can still touch on during the debate on the president's speech, but since it is not a resolution, no decision will be taken," he told a media briefing on the NDC.

Asked whether there is a need for an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) on the issue, Chia said if there is a need, the new central working committee will decide on it.

This year's NDC, on the theme "Satu Hati Gerak Bersama" (Together we move forward) will be held on Oct 11 and 12 and see the participation of 2,081 delegates.

"I expect 80% of the delegates will turn up for the NDC as there will be an election. We will also spend only the first day to debate on the president's speech and we will use the second day to debate on our five resolutions," Chia said.

Chia, who had earlier announced that he would not contesting any post this time, said he will receive nomination forms from candidates in the central election as a "neutral" party.

On his future plan in the party, Chia said since he is not contesting any post in the elections, he will also decline any appointment in the party.

He said he has served the party as secretary-general for nine years and "it is only fair for young people to take over the post". "I will continue to serve in the party and contribute to political development in a different capacity," he said.

Chia had contested against party vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan in the Penang election last month for the state chairman's post and lost to Teng by just 10 votes. It is believed this loss contributed to his decision to not contest any post during the NDC.

To a question, Chia said he is still fit to continue in politics and will not retire now.

Asked for his comment on his relationship with acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Teng, an "Iron Triangle" which he had earlier described as "rusted", Chia had refused to say more.

Three-corner fight for Gerakan Youth top post

Giam Say Khoon

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 3, 2008) : With Gerakan Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong deciding to go for the vice-presidency, the youth wing top post saw election action again after 24 years of "no-contest".

The three contenders are incumbent deputy chief Lim Si Pin, Negri Sembilan youth chief Chai Tek Loong and Kedah youth chief Tan Keng Liang.

Lim, who claims to have the support of eight states (Malacca, Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur-Federal Territories, Perak , Sabah and
Kelantan), announced his manifesto titled "Leadership, Sincerity, Rejuvenation" after the nominations closed at noon today.

Lim, who is former president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik's son, said the wing needed to formulate policy whereby the entire wing can work as a team.

Asked if he was using the "cai dan" (political menu) for the delegates to elect his entire team, Lim explained that the team members were not picked by him.

"The list belongs to them (the representatives from all states). It is not mine and the list is endorsed by the state Youth chiefs. At the lowest point of the history in the party, I want to seek the participation of all states. Without them, I think it is an uphill task for us (to rejuvenate the party)," he added.

Lim's opponent Chai also launched a manifesto titled "Expedite Reformation and March on Again". Chai said his intention to contest did not go down well with some party leaders who called him to get him to negotiate, so as not to cause a split in the wing.

The deputy chairman post was contested by Lim's running mate Paul Yong Yoon Kong, who was Negri Sembilan Youth chief, while Chai's running mate is Oh Tong
Keong.

The three vice-chairman posts saw a five-cornered fight with the participation of Stephen Doss, S. Vijayakumar, Liang Teck Meng, Vincent Hooi and David Ang Chin Tat.

There will also be a total of 28 candidates fighting for the 18 central committee membership.

Speaking to reporters after nominations closed for the Youth and Wanita wings today, Mah said the competition was good for the youth wing, noting that for this election, seven incumbents had reached their age limit of 45 and could not defend their posts any longer.

"Only two incumbent are still eligible to stay and contest for the nine top posts in the wing. We have also 10 new Youth chairmen in 11 states. This is a breakthrough in the democratic process. We did not stop anyone from participating in the election as the youth chief, deputy and vice-chairmen posts will all be contested by new candidates," he said.

Mah, who announced his decision to stand in the vice-president post yesterday, said he only hoped candidates would close ranks after the election and refrain from using personal attacks.

He said the party had 10 MPs and 30 state assemblymen before the March general election, but now has only two MPs and four assemblymen. "So we cannot afford to be split. We should accept the fact and not be disappointed.

"Some says the party will be destroyed after the general election, but today we see many candidates offering themselves in the party election and this
shows that many still want to serve in Gerakan," he added.

As for the Wanita wing, its Wanita chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe was returned unopposed.

However, Tan's incumbent deputy Datin Paduka Yong Dai Ying, who was Bukit Lanjan assemblyman, had chosen not to defend her post, resulting in a straight
fight between Ng Siew Lai and Ong Kim Suan.

The three vice-presidential posts for the wing will also see a four-cornered fight by Chin Nyuk Chin, Yong Fuie Moy, Eng GaiK Hong and Azmar Md Ilias.

A total of 19 candidates will also be contesting for 18 central commttee membership.

Chia admits rocky ties with Gerakan’s top two

PENANG, Oct 2 — For the first time, Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye has disclosed that his relationship with vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nam and acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon might "have lost its shine or rusted".

While the inner party circle has dubbed the trio as the “Iron Triangle”, Chia doubts that the cordial relationship, which they currently enjoyed, could be maintained due to "external interference".

"You cannot deny there is a contest (between him and Dr Teng for the Penang state chairman post). Whether they will bend or break the so-called triangle, I think it remains to be seen, and a subject to a lot of interpretation,

"Any relationship has to be genuine. If you have got that principle, you will not go wrong because you will not allow external interferences to influence you.

"Our society is not closed. There are external forces — what we call core of supporters. You cannot deny if there is any contest, there are members on the ground who behave differently from the leaders at the top," he told Bernama in an interview.

Chia said the maturity level was different for different people and if they allowed personal interest and hidden agendas to come into play, it would not be easy for the relationship to be maintained.

He said if the leaders subjected themselves to external interferences, it would get the members on the ground confused because as a leader, there was a need for them to send the right message to the grassroots.

Asked why he has been lying low after the Penang Gerakan election on Sept 21, where he lost in his bid to be elected as new state chairman to Dr Teng, Chia said it was only natural for him to lie low.

"My other principle is that all the delegates decided on who should be the state chairman. Let the new person have a hand to run it and carry out the task," he said.

On his relationship with Dr Teng after the state election, Chia refused to give any direct answer except to say: "Many questions have been asked on my relationship with Dr Teng, as well as with Dr Koh.

"So, at personal level, there is no point denying or commenting. This question never stops. Very tiresome in answering and giving the same answer all the time."

On the coming national delegates conference (NDC), Chia said the party elections were likely to overshadow what the party had done, while at the same time, did not rule out that the future of the party in the Barisan Nasional would be discussed by the delegates.

"This subject is mostly discussed in our dialogue. However, for the matter to be discussed at NDC, I have not received any official resolution or debate on whether to stay or leave the BN," he noted.

However, Chia said this did not mean the delegates would not raise the issue.

Any issue related to the party position in the BN should be discussed at the extraordinary national delegates conference (ENDC).

"I foresee that the delegates will continue to raise the topic at the NDC although there was no formal discussion. It can be raised in the form of a debate or outside the debate. I foresee this would happen," he added.

Chia, however, cautioned party members from making any extreme decision as they should not forget the party's idealism.

"We never allowed pragmatism to justify not sticking to our ideas. I know it is a difficult balance,

"Looking at the situation in the country and the party, we need to exercise our political objective — that is, only things that are permanent. Leaders come and go. We need to go back to basics," he said.

Therefore, he said, Gerakan must always have the interest of people in its heart as that is the only way the party can regain support from the people. —Bernama

Gerakan says Umno should discuss leadership change with BN partners

Dr Koh giving a speech during the Gerakan National Delegates’ conference in Kuala Lumpur today. — Bernama pic

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 - Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon says the future of Umno's leadership should be discussed with other Barisan Nasional component parties.

"The leadership of Umno is also the leadership of the country. I believe when things are clearer, the BN supreme council will meet and be briefed about the transition," he told reporters when quizzed about Kedah Gerakan Youth's recent statement on the matter.

He added that Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib had already said that it was a reasonable idea and request.

The former Penang chief minister added that it was not about interfering with a component party's internal affairs because "it is positive to have a better understanding and consensus as it it is also about the leadership of BN."

Although he stated that what was important now was for the party to attend to its party elections and then move forward, he was guarded when asked about the lack of candidates having declared their intentions ahead of the Oct 11 polls.

"I will not comment until after nomination because I don't know yet. But, internally, there is a lot of interest and leaders are indicating as much," he said.

"Why should we take the surprise out of Saturday?" he said of this weekend's nomination of candidates.

Koh also backed Datuk Seri Najib Razak's statement yesterday on the economy, saying that it is the country's main challenge at this point.

"Even though our fundamentals are strong, we have to be careful. So it is time for all citizens and political parties to reduce politicising of issues such as religion and race," he said, echoing the deputy prime minister's warning.