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.
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