Gerakan Johor

Visit To Love Foundation, Taman Iskandar

2009-11-13T06:48:00.000-08:00

PGRM donated RM3000 peruntukkan to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Insan Istimewa Johor Bahru in Taman Iskandar today. In return Mr Tey Ley Keong, Treasurer and founding member, gave a plaque to Dato Teo Kok Chee in a simple handover ceremony held at the center. The center houses about 25 special children with learning difficulties and even bed ridden children with 7 full time staff.

Blue Ocean Strategy Seminar

2009-11-12T19:20:00.001-08:00

Event : Blue Ocean Strategy
Place : MBJBT Audio Room
Time : Sunday, 15 November 2009 11.30am
Speaker : Dr Dominic Loh, Associate Professor UCSI

All are invited. Please come early to avoid disappointment. Only limited seats available.

Taman University 15th anniversary dinner

2009-06-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

Taman U PGRM branch had their 15th anniversary dinner at Jia Ping tonight. Dato Teo Kok Chee opened the dinner after speeches by Encik Jason Teoh from MCA, who pledged RM2000, representatives from Dato Aziz Sapian and YB Tan Ah Eng. Branch chairman Sdr Ting Pang Seng welcomed guests who included YB Cheong Ching Liang, YB Liang Teck Meng and Ahli ahli Majlis from MBJBT. The dinner was attended by approximately 600 diners.

Johor's Chinese Physician Association Dinner

2009-05-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Attended Johor Chinese Physician Association Dinner tonight at Maedo. Dato Teo Kok Chee was there but left early. Pasir Gudang's Ahli Majlis Sdr Wong Yun Kang deputize for him during the gong hitting ceremony. About 700 people were in attendance.

Biggest Break For Gerakan In East Malaysia

2009-05-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

May 05, 2009 20:56 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- Despite being wiped out in Penang, its political base, and suffering a huge setback in the last general election, Gerakan seems to have strengthened its support in East Malaysia.

Since taking root in Sabah in the 1990s, the party has hardly made its presence felt there but the latest political move seems to have given the party the much needed boost in the state.

Gerakan might even have emerged as the biggest winner in the controversy over partyless Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah and former SAPP Youth chief and Elopura assemblyman Au Kam Wah.

Tan has decided to join Gerakan at a time when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is in the state for a two-day visit beginning yesterday.

Things have become clearer now that Tan and Au have decided to join Gerakan as party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had flown in together with the prime minister yesterday for the state visit in what a party insider said was "to iron out any obstacle" for the duo to join the party for the "biggest break".

"The discussion went on until late last night. Only today Koh decided to announce it after the matter had been ironed out with the national and state Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership," the party insider told Bernama.

Gerakan has never contested in Sabah and the decision by the two assemblymen to join Gerakan is a significant boost for this multi-racial party as it will automatically have two state assemblymen in Sabah, bringing the total tally in the country to six for the party.

In the last general election, Gerakan contested 12 parliamentary seats and 31 state seats, but won only two parliamentary seats -- Simpang Renggam (Johor) and Gerik (Perak) -- and four state seats -- Derga (Kedah), Ketari (Pahang), Pemanis and Bukit Batu (Johor).

Party sources said Tan, who is also Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister and Tanjung Papat assemblyman, is set to be appointed Gerakan national vice-president while Au is likely to be appointed to the party's powerful decision-making body, the central committee.

The current Gerakan vice-presidents are Datuk Mah Siew Keong and Huan Cheng Guan (elected) and the two appointed vice-presidents, Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye and A. Kohilan Pillay.

Under the party constitution, the party president can appoint up to five vice-presidents.

"The party president has spoken to us about this. We welcome it as it is good for the party," said Huan.

To some political analysts, the duo's decision to join Gerakan is surprising as the party did not have any influence in the state compared to other national-based parties like MCA.

"This is rather surprising. I assume that the duo are more comfortable with Gerakan due to the fact that it is a minority party in the state, unlike MCA which has a strong leadership.

"However, I would like Gerakan to take note that their power base is still Penang, not other states, not far away in Sabah. If they don't have a base in Penang, their survival will be in question," said political analyst Datuk Seah Chee Kim.

However, for others the decision is not surprising at all as there has been close cooperation between Gerakan and other Sabah-based BN component parties as early as when PBS was ruling the state.

In fact, the Sabah chapter of Gerakan was formed in 1994 by PBS dissidents led by Datuk Kong Hong Ming.

While Gerakan is said to be more a Penang-based party, its leaders, for quite some time now, have been working to broaden the party base by working closely with other components in other places.

In fact, the discussion for Tan and Au to join the party started many months ago despite other BN components making similar attempts to court them.

"We have been talking for several months. We are happy that finally, they made up their minds to join us. We hope with this development, more SAPP members can join the party in future," said Gerakan deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.

There are talks that several more elected representatives from SAPP and other Sabah-based opposition parties may join Gerakan after this.

Political observers note that the reaction to Gerakan's success in getting Tan and Au to join the party is much different from when former Independent MP for Sandakan Chong Hon Min wanted to join SAPP when the party was still in BN, receiving strong objection from the LDP.

The objection was understandable as the LDP candidate in the 2004 general election, Datuk Lau Ngan Siew, was defeated by Chong. LDP had cited BN's policy of not accepting an Independent candidate who stood against BN in the previous elections, as their basis for the objection.

Apart from that, the Sandakan seat remained with LDP as the precedent was that, if the person joined the other party, the seat would remain with the original party.

When Datuk Kong Hong Ming left LDP for Gerakan, the Kudat seat remained with LDP. It was the same when Datuk Michael Lim left PBS for SAPP; his seat did not go to SAPP in the subsequent elections.

However, in this case, the question is whether Gerakan will be allocated the two seats in the next general election. But Gerakan may get the seats as SAPP left BN in September last year.

Whatever it is, for now, there is something for Gerakan to celebrate.

-- BERNAMA

Smidec Talk in Simpang Renggam 4 May 2009

2009-05-03T19:29:00.001-07:00

MP Liang Teck Meng of Simpang Renggam together with Smidec Johor had a talk on facilities offered by Smidec for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in forms of grants and loans. The talk was held at Dewan Orang Ramai Simpang Renggam at 10 am 4 May 2009. About 200 people was on attendance. For more info go to http://www.gov.my/MYGOV/BI/Directory/Business/BusinessByIndustry/IKS/IKSTrainingProgramAndDevelopment/SMIDEC/

Gerakan Talk at Pu Sze Primary School, 2 May 2009

2009-05-01T23:44:00.001-07:00

Gerakan Johor together with China Press organised a talk about the economy and politics under Najib's administration. Speakers were Dr Ho Ke Ping and Mr Phua Lee Kerk. Sdr Teng Chang Yeow, Gerakan Sec Gen officially opened the event. Sdr Sam Chong was the moderator while Dato Teo Kok Chee gave a speech. About 120 people were in attendance.

Profile of Speakers for the Talk on 2 May 2009 at Pu Sze Primary School

2009-04-16T19:52:00.001-07:00

Prof Dr. Hoo Ke Ping

57 years old , a renown and reputable economist, politician and analyst in Malaysia . He obtained his Doctor in Business Adm (DBA) from Southern Cross University in Australia . He acts as an advisor to Trade Associations, banks and more than 50 other establishments.

Dr. Hoo Ke Ping has been appointed as director in corporate firm , he has also been a lecturer , researcher and taken part in IDRC and World Bank survey. He has published 5 books on economics , i.e Asian financial crisis , International monetary policy and foreign exchange trends , the performance of Malaysian Ringgit.

Mr Phua Lee Kerk

is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Pheim Unit Trust Berhad. He has wide and varied experience in the financial advisory and portfolio management fields, having worked in Japan, Malaysia and Singapore for more than 20 years with companies like Smith Barney (now Salomon Smith Barney), Barings Securities (now ING Baring), and Vickers Balleas, Jupiter Research and APS Asset Management.

He has presented various papers on investment, corporate finance and M&A both locally and overseas in conferences and seminars organized by World Bank, UNESCO, UNIDO, Securities Commission, Bursa Malaysia, Bank Negara, MII, FPAM and others.

He serves as a committee member of the Economic Research Board of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia and also chairs the Public Awareness Committee of CFA Malaysia. He is also co-writer of the book "A Practical Approach To Mergers and Acquisitions in Financial Services Industry". He also serves as a committee member of Economic Study of the Federation of Chinese Association Malaysia.

Seminar on Political and Economic Outlook for Malaysia under Najib's Administration.

2009-04-16T03:25:00.000-07:00

The State Liason Committee is having a Seminar on Political and Economic Outlook for Malaysia under Najib's Administration. It will be held at Pu Sze Primary School's auditorium at 2pm on 2nd May 2009. It is open to the public and everyone is invited to come. The speakers will be Prof Hoo Ke Ping , an economist and Mr Phua Lee Kerk, a fund manager.

Latest List of State Committees

2009-03-25T23:56:00.001-07:00

JAWATAN	NAMA
PENGERUSI	Dato Teo Kok Chee
NAIB PENGERUSI	Lam Tiang Chong Wee Chong Yan Tan Kee Teng Chern Kian Seng
Setiausaha	YB Cheong Chin Liang
Pen. Setiausaha	Hoe Hong Seng Yap Yeen Min
Bendahari	Teo Chew Chai
AJK (Dipilih)	Tang Kian Watt Tan Tang Seng Lim Eng Koon Lai You Weng @ Pang Tok San Yap Joh Fee
AJK ( Dilantik)	Tan King Sing Loh Ah Kau Koh Kian Siang Lai Kee Kong
AJK (Ketua Bahagian)	Khoo Kong Ek Yap Joh Sew Ng Pou Wa Hew Chin Ng Kam Pau Chong Hock Meng Ang Sang Poh Song Fong Tee Sing Kiat Koh Chai Ong Dr Ker Ching Sheng Len Bok Kwan Tan Soon Lam Chua Ah Ba Dato' Seri Kerk Choo Ting Dato Lim Poh Ming Lim Ho Cheng Teo Lee Ho
AJK (Ketua Pemuda)	Yap Cheng Heng
AJK (Ketua Wanita)	Tai Mun
AJK (Ahli Parlimen Kaw. SImpang Renggam)	YB Liang Teck Meng
AJK (ADUN Kaw. Pemanis)	YB Lau Chin Hoon
Pegawai Perhubungan Pusat	Koo Shiaw Lee
Ketua Biro Politik	Dato Teo Kok Chee
Naib Ketua Biro Politik	Hew Chin
Ketua Biro Organisasi	Yap Yeen Min
Naib Ketua Biro Organisasi	Teo Chu Giap
Ketua Biro Kursus	Lai You Weng @ Pang Tok San
Naib Ketua Biro Kursus	Lim Eng Koon
Ketua Biro Penerangan	YB Cheong Chin Liang
Naib Ketua Biro Penerangan	Tan Soon Lam
Ketua Biro Disiplin	Lam Tiang Chong
Naib Ketua Biro Disiplin	Lim Peng Wah
Ketua Biro Kebajikan Masyarakat	Lee Cheong Luan
Naib Ketua Biro Kebajikan Masyarakat	Mar Chong Han
Ketua Biro Pendidikan	Tan Kee Teng
Ketua Biro Perumahan	Koo Shiaw Lee
Naib Ketua Biro Perumahan	Teo Poh Thong
Ketua Biro Industri Kecil dan Sederhana	Ng Soon Lee
Naib Ketua Biro Industri Kecil dan Sederhana	Chong Ming Yong
Ketua Biro Kebudayaan	Teo Lee Ho
Naib Ketua Biro Kebudayaan	Loo Mun Fong
Ketua Biro Kerajaan Tempatan	Ng Kam Pau
Naib Ketua Biro Kerajaan Tempatan	Chong Team@Chong Sin Thiam
Ketua Biro Perkhidmatan Awam	Lim Wai Meng
Naib Ketua Biro Perkhidmatan Awam	Ho Fatt Meng
Ketua Biro Ahli Veteran	Tay Keng Meng
Naib Ketua Biro Ahli Veteran	Tay Meng Kai
Ketua Biro Pertanian & Perusahaan Utama	Teo Seng Hai
Ketua Biro Ekonomi	Dato Lim Poh Ming
Naib Ketua Biro Ekonomi	Tay Choon Yan
Ketua Biro NGO dan Perhubungan Komuniti	Ting Pang Seng
Naib Ketua Biro NGO dan Perhubungan Komuniti	Wong Yung Kang




Ketua Biro Belia dan Sukan	Tan Tian Chun
Naib Ketua Biro Belia dan Sukan	Yap Ah Kiong
Ketua Biro Maklumat Teknologi(IT)	Hoe Hong Seng
Naib Ketua Biro Maklumat Teknologi(IT)	Lai Kee Kong
Ketua Biro Hal Ehwal Antarabangsa dan Hubungan Etnik	Dato Ou Kwee Hua
Ketua Biro Buruh	Chong Cheng Kok
Ketua Biro Urusan Wanita	Ong Poh Hoi
Naib Ketua Urusan Wanita	Lim Ah Gern
Wakil Ke Barisan Nasional Negeri	Dato Teo Kok Chee YB Cheong Chin Liang Tai Mun

Ahli Jawatankuasa Kerja Negeri Johor

Jawatan	Nama
Pengerusi	Dato Teo Kok Chee
Setiausaha	YB Cheong Chin Liang
AJK	Lam Tiang Chong Wee Chong Yan Tan Kee Teng
Yang Turut Hadir	Yap Cheng Heng Tai Mun Chern Kian Seng

Majlis Makan Malam PGRM Johor 2009

2009-03-11T20:40:00.001-07:00

There were entertainment from Taman U branch karaoke singers and also hip hop dancers from the Twister Group. A mandarin opera performance and a black light dragon dance finish off the evening. The night ended with the lucky draw for hampers, TV and trip to China.

Majlis Makan Malam PGRM Johor 2009

2009-03-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

The State just had its dinner recently at SRJK(C) Kulai Besar on 7 Mac 2009. Attended by Dr Koh Tsu Koon, the dinner was a roaring success with more than 200 tables sold. There was an oath taking ceremony by the State Liaison's Committee together with a 10kg birthday cake. Dato Koh Chee Watt (Ex ADUN and Pengerusi Negeri) and Sdr Tan Yen Yee( ex Treasurer) was each honored with a plaque for contributions to the party.

Gerakan Johor CNY celebrations

2009-01-10T23:02:00.000-08:00

Johor's Gerakan CNY celebration will be in Tangkak this year. Tentative date is 6 February depending on MB's schedule. Hosted by the Wanita wing, it will be at night at the local Dewan Jubli Intan.

Gerakan's Installation Dinner has been set for February. The dinner has been postponed umpteenth times because of scheduling conflict. The State is determined to go ahead this time.( It is now set on Mac 7 in Dewan Besar SJK(C) Kulai Besar, Taman Kota Kulai, 8100 Kulai Johor)

YB Liang Teck Meng's CNY Open House is scheduled for 7 February in the afternoon. It will be held in Simpang Renggam.

Watch this space for updates.

PGRM Negeri Johor CNY celebration

2009-02-07T19:35:00.000-08:00

Gerakan Johor Chinese New Year open house was held in Tangkak's Dewan Jubli Intan this year on Friday, 6 February 2009. Guests of Honor were Menteri Besar Johor, YAB Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, his wife and Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. Organising chairman, Tai Mun of Wanita wing, arranged for a 60 table Malay kenduri style open house with entertainment provided by the Wanita wing. The MB and wife even sang a song each to enliven the festivities.

Gerakan visits Block 63

2009-01-15T00:12:00.001-08:00

Gerakan made a visit to Block 63 this morning. Ahli Majlis Sdr Ting Pang Seng, Ketua Wanita Gelang Patah Sdri Ong Poh Hoi, State Executive Secretary Sdr Koo Shiaw Lee and a few other members paid a visit to Block 63 to listen to problems faced by the community in the surrounding area. A TNB substation left unsecured was quickly informed on the spot, while a request from the women's recreational club for a place to karaoke will be looked into by the Wanita wing. We hope to secure a location near the block for the enthuastic aunties.

Temple Visit in Taman Impian Emas( 28/12/2008)

2009-01-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

Sdr Koo Shiaw Lee representing Dato Teo Kok Chee visited the Taman Impian Emas Indian temple recently. The temple was having an anniversary celebration and has invited Dato Teo in recognition of his efforts in securing the piece of land in which the temple is now built. Ties with the Indian community in Taman Impian Emas is good and Gerakan hopes to build on the good relations.

Another blog from Gerakan Johor - in Mandarin

2009-01-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

Check out our sister blog in Mandarin - http://minzhengjohor.blogspot.com/.

Pasir Gudang visits Blessed Children's Home (21/12/2008)

2009-01-06T19:34:00.001-08:00

Pasir Gudang Division visited the Blessed Children's Home in Taman Rinting for Xmas. The members distributed gifts and supplies to children and the home.

Koh: BN Must Get Close To Chinese Youths

2009-01-06T20:14:00.001-08:00

News

2009-01-07 12:04

KUALA TERENGGANU: Barisan Nasional (BN) should give more attention to Chinese young voters to ensure that they support the BN candidate in the Kuala Terengganu by-election on 17 Jan, said Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

He said based on feedback, this group of voters was inclined to support the opposition compared with mature voters aged 35 and above, who could better evaluate the services and contributions of the BN government to improve their lives.

Speaking to reporters after attending a dialogue session with Chinese association leaders and members of the Kuala Terengganu Chinese Chamber of Commerce here Tuesday night (6 Jan), Koh said the mature group's feeling of gratitude might not be shared by the younger voters in the constituency.

Asked about the tendency of young people to choose the opposition, he said it was a normal phenomenon generally, but they would support BN when they became more mature.

In light of this, Koh said BN must work doubly hard to get close to this young group and hear their voice and aspirations.

He said Gerakan planned to meet up with Chinese youths to explain to them the government policies, besides hearing their grouses.

In the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat by-election, BN's Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh will be challenged by PAS' Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut and independent candidate, Azharudin Mamat @ Adam.

The by-election is being held following the death of the incumbent MP and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail on 28 Nov last year. (Bernama)

Gerakan still politically relevant

2009-01-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

Humayun Kabir

IPOH (June 9, 2008): Gerakan vice-president Datuk Chang Ko Youn, who is also Perak Gerakan chairman, tells theSun recently how his party is and can remain relevant after the March 8, 2008 political tsunami.

Chang hopes the Barisan Nasional will take cue from the new political trend and adjust its approach to suit the needs and demands of Malaysians.

> What are the factors for Gerakan’s poor showing in the recent polls and issues that are plaguing the party?

We were aware that the mood was not right to hold a general election in March 2008, especially (with the dissenting) Chinese and Indian voters. These voters were angered by a series of events in 2006 and 2007, such as the raising the keris at the Umno assemblies, allegations of marginalisation of Malays in Penang, poor public delivery system, corruption, abuse of power and Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

We were apprehensive but were assured by our counterparts that we could get over the tough scenario. We expected a result that would be somewhere between the 2004 and 1990 general elections. It turned ot to be a nightmare. We contested 12 parliamentary and 31 state seats. We won only two parliamentary and four state seats. Our worst result to date.

One of the major factors for Barisan Nasional (BN)'s dismal performance was the excellent result of the 2004 general election which made some Umno leaders to be over confident and at worst, arrogant. The live telecast of the Umno Assembly worsened the situation when some inconsiderate, irresponsible and hurting racial remarks were made.

We tried to assure the public that the uncalled for racial remarks were personal opinions of some rabble-rouser politicians and that the rabble-rouser did not represent the policies and views of Umno. Umno's president and deputy president are the actual spokesmen for Umno and the government. However, unfortunately the public did not accpet the explanation.

> Would holding early party elections rock an already shaky Gerakan boat which is reeling from its worst electoral performance?

The party had actually postponed the party elections to next year. Since the general election is already over, we felt it would be better to get a fresh mandate from the delegates.

(Tan Sri) Dr Koh Tsu Koon and some central committee (CC) members felt that we should resign and let the delegates decide on new leadership in an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) immediately after the the general election. On second thought, it would create more problems if we resigned at such a difficult moment.

So we decided to bring forward the party elections and let the delegates decide on the new team or to maintain some old faces. I'm sure some CC members will retire and fresh blood will be brought in. Gerakan needs a rejuvenation to survive this difficult period.

> In the aftermath of the general election's bashing, party leaders spoke of returning to the party’s basic ideology and want to be the conscience of BN by playing the role of a constructive opposition. All these years, Gerakan with its representation in BN could hardly make Umno sit up. Now that the party is virtually out in the cold, would playing a constructive opposition matter now?

We are not the only party which suffered badly in this election. We accept the fact that we are partly to be blamed for this disastrous result. The party was aware that many voters were unhappy with the government and BN, especially on the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP), Education Policy and civil service performance.

We worked extremely hard to settle local problems by getting close to the voters and fostering good community projects. We thought they would vote us based on our performances as Wakil Rakyat. However, local issues did not feature prominently to them. Voters focused on national issues. Our performance, service record, personality and development projects in constituencies became insignificant.

Most of the national issues were against us and the opposition parties made full use of the information and communication technology in their campaigns and they freely distributed VCDs.

> Since joining the BN in the early 1970s, Gerakan's multi-ethic character seems to have vacillated in being racial to non-racial and back. As a revival option for a wind of change, what fresh hopes are there on the cards to chart a new course?

We are non-racial in our policy and approach which are based on human rights and liberal democratic principles . We must struggle in our fight for a fair and just society. We have to protect the rights of every racial group not because of their racial background but because of their fundamental rights as human beings who must be accorded the rights stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

In the aftermath of the 2008 general election, I think we have to modify our approach and must raise issues publicly as the public want to see us as really working and not just working. I think Malaysians are mature enough and rational and would not to be easily provoked racially. This recent election had demonstrated the people's maturity as Malaysians. We now see Malays voting for the DAP and non-Malays voting for PAS. This means most Malaysians do not vote according to racial lines anymore.

I hope the BN will take cue from this new trend and adjust its approach to suit the needs and demands of Malaysians. Racial appeal does not work as well as it had in the past. It's time for BN component parties which are run on racial lines to amend their party constitution to make it non-racial, otherwise they would fade away one fine day. Eventually all component parties must be dissolved and be absorbed as one single entity as the BN and not separate entities. A new approach has to be adopted by Gerakan. We have to be more vocal and proactive in taking up issues publicly. The party must be prepared to criticise and be criticised for anything wrong, which includes acts from our partners in the BN.

> Would Gerakan lead the way by merging with smaller multi-racial parties?

The suggestion is not viable. Such a merger should be done by all BN component parties by first amending their constitutions accommodate a non-racial policy. This will happen eventually but a long wait will cost us dearly as the political climate has changed so dramatically.

> Indian leaders in Gerakan had accused the party of practicing racial bias. Would this not render the party as just another Chinese-based party and in the process becoming redundant as MCA is deemed the sole Chinese party in BN? The new trend for political survival is a multi-ethnic platform. Can we now see a more liberal minded approach from the party? And how is the party attracting more members among the younger generation of Indians and Malays? Why is it so hard to break barriers in race-based politics for a common good? A glaring example is the success story of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the five states. But BN hesitates with such moves.

Do not view us as Chinese, Malays or Indians. We are Malaysians, we should think and act as Malaysians. It doesn't matter that the majority of our members are of Chinese origins. Certain sectors brand us as a Chinese-based party just because of this majority of our member. Such branding is unfair. Most of the seats we contested are in the urban and in Chinese majority areas. In doing so, we are naturally seen as taking up more Chinese issues than other issues. When we take up issues affecting the Chinese, we never use the term "Chinese" as a ground to fight for their rights. We fight for them because they are Malaysians whose fundamental rights must be protected. What is important is their attitude, thinking and approach. Being racial or non-racial is in the mind, not the colour of the skin.

In the past, leaders like (Datuk) Rhina Bhar, (Datuk) Dominic Puthucheary and (Datuk Dr S.) Vijayaratnam had stood for elections. In the 2008 general election,we tried to field non-Chinese candidates in certain areas but there was local resistance. The residents wanted local people when we had suitable Indian candidates but unfortunately they were considered as "outsiders". Yes, we agree we need a more conscious effort to field non-Chinese candidates in the next general election.

> Gerakan adviser (Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik) had said BN component parties had been reduced to accepting "beggar politics". Will there come a time for Gerakan to leave the BN fold if its views are pushed aside by Umno’s seemingly arrogance, belief and sense of entitlement to rule as it wishes?

This is not the time to talk about quitting the BN. After the dismal performance, we must do a post-mortem and fine-tune BN to the new scenario. Policies and behaviours must be adjusted. Past non-sensical behaviour and mistakes must not be repeated. I think we can revive our political fortune, provided we are prepared to change and meet the needs and aspirations of all Malaysians.

I think the term "beggar politics" was crudely put. We are there to serve the people and everything is a struggle and nothing comes easy as it seems. There are a lot of ideological differences among the BN component parties. Some go on racial lines but we take the non-racial approach. Whatever differences and disputes, we settle them in close-door discussions and whatever heat that is generated would be contained by consensus and a give-and-take attitude. It is good in the sense that sensitive and touchy issues can be discussed frankly and not aired in public.

The disadvantage here is that the public is not aware that Gerakan is working for them in a sensible manner. In politics, you cannot achieve all that you demand. Anyway we would not fail completely. A compromise is always possible for the good of national unity and development.

> It is said that BN are sore losers after the recent bashing in the general election. The BN is seen as infringing on the five PR governed states' power and rights. Could this not backfire as an act of defiance and not accepting the voters' mandate?

Now that the PR had won five states, they must be given the power and rights to run the five states as mandates had been given by the voters. Similarly, the BN had won other states and the Parliament. BN must be given the right to run (the federal governmnet) and not constantly be disturbed by defection rumours created by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) . I believe none of the BN representatives will defect to PKR or DAP or PAS. This is a mind game created by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to destabilise BN. It is more of an effort to distract people and at the same time ensure their representatives do not defect to BN.

> What is wrong in allowing Gerakan members to be appointed to posts offered by PR state governments? Should not the party feel proud of its talented members who were offered such posts? We have seen two Gerakan members going for it so far.

If the offer was genuine our people should take it. But there are certain political agendas and motives in the offer. The latest incident involving Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong is a good example. Why not take a neutral person to chair the Land Investigation Committee instead of an active politician who is partisan in views and approach? We know what's behind the scene.

Can gerakan be a truly Malaysian party?

2009-01-06T20:09:00.000-08:00

Alan Ting

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (Bernama) : Can Gerakan be a truly Malaysian Party?

Yes, say some leaders in the party, which has a multiracial composition of a quarter million members, and to prove the point, they want to make sweeping changes in the party to demonstrate to the people that they mean business.

Gerakan received a massive blow at the March 8 general election, including losing Penang, once its stronghold, to the DAP. This prompted the party to do some "soul-searching" and they seem to have realised that being a truly Malaysian party is the way to go.

"What we want the party to be is a truly Malaysian party. We don't want to be labelled a multiracial party anymore. It should be a truly Malaysian party and we should start now," said Gerakan central committee (CC) member senator Datuk Gooi Hoe Hin.

He said efforts were now underway to transform the party into "a truly Malaysian party", based on merit and fairness to all races living in this land.

With this in view, political observers have fixed their sight on the Selangor Gerakan convention on Sunday, where the state delegates will pick the Selangor Gerakan chief. While this is just a normal political process, the contestants make it abnormal.

For the first time in the party's 45-year history a non-Chinese, senator A. Kohilan Pillay, who is Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, will contest the state chief's post against incumbent Datuk Lum Weng Keong.

Kohilan is seen to personify the effort to turn the party into a truly Malaysian party, while Lum, a three-term state chairman, is perceived as keeping the party in its existing mode.

"We should be talking about issues, not race anymore. We want this to change with the emergence of a new generation or "New G". If Selangor can do it, then we predict the mood would spread all over the country.

"It would be a catalyst for change from within to face the challenges from the outside. For that matter, the Selangor Gerakan should show the way," said Gooi, the former political secretary to Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, party advisor and former Energy, Water abd Cimmunication minister.

Kohilan, when contacted, said the contest would provide a good opportunity for members to bring about change "which is what the grassroots want after the bruising general election."

"They have waited for this opportunity. The majority of the party members feel that they are colourless. They are certainly not talking about race...anyone who comes in championing for change, they would support it," said the leader who hails from Batu Caves, Selangor.

Going by party history, only one non-Chinese leader, Datuk Rhina Bhar, had broken into the top position in the party after she was elected Gerakan Wanita chief a few years ago. But she did not last long, being knocked out at the party polls the following term.

For Selangor, only one Gerakan non-Chinese leader, Dr Pius Martin, held a state government position, when the former Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman was made a state executive councillor from 1995 to 1999.

Despite being given the post by the party, Martin never contested the state chairmanship, instead choosing to serve as state vice-chairman.

But for Lum, the Selangor Gerakan election this Sunday is not about the party wanting to be a truly Malaysian political party but is geared more towards what he claims as "an attempt to make some cosmetic changes"

He argues that Gerakan had the Malaysian approach all this while as is evident from the existing state leaderships which comprise the various communities.

"We have Asmah Alias, the Selangor Wanita chief, who is a Malay and she has been elected to the post for the last three terms.

"It is not that there are no non-Chinese holding positions in the party before, especially in Selangor. Even our Youth chief was a Sikh, Pritpal Singh, before he joined the PPP (Peoples Progressive Party)," Lum said.

Lum also pointed out that Gerakan had in the past even picked two non-Chinese as councillors in Selangor despite the records showing that the Gerakan membership in the state had 80% Chinese members.

"Our councillor for Kuala Langat, K.Muthusamy, was Indian and was picked as a councillor despite the fact that his division had 90% Chinese members. In 2002, we also put in Husin Bahaudin as Ampang Jaya councillor despite the division consisting of 70% Chinese members," said Lum.

However, for political analyst Khoo Kay Peng, Gerakan is now in dire need of a strong team of leaders who are decisive and can set a new and vibrant direction for the party.

"What they need now is a bang! bang! bang! kind of leader. They need direction as the grassroots are agitated and some have started to abandon ship. They need a leader who can make decisive decisions...that is more important than anything else at the moment for Gerakan," said Khoo, former executive director of Gerakan's think tank, Sedar.

Khoo said that before Gerakan sets out its direction, it must answer three pertinent questions -- what is Gerakan's position in the Barisan Nasional, what is the party's stand on the new economic policy and finally, what is its position on the social contract issue.

"If they do not answer all three questions, then whatever they do, it won't work," he said.

These questions are already being asked by the grassroots. Two weeks ago at the Perak and Kedah state conventions, the delegates wanted the party to re-evaluate its position in the Barisan Nasional.

Only time will tell if Gerakan members in Selangor would issue similar calls but one thing is certain -- Gerakan is at the crossroads and it is about time the leadership and members decide the fate of this "truly Malaysian" party. -- BERNAMA

Gerak Tumpu Flat Taman Tun Aminah

2009-01-06T19:30:00.000-08:00

Ahli Majlis MBJBT Sdr Ting Pang Seng telah menganjurkan program Gerak Tumpu di rumah pangsa blok 10 hingga 20 bersama Persatuan Penduduk Tun Aminah dan Badan Pengurusan Blok 10-20 pada 4 Januari 2009. Bersama program Gerak Tumpu juga diadakan Pertandingan Pakaian Kanak-Kanak. Acara di rasmikan oleh wakil Ahli Parlimen Gelang Patah Sdr Goh Teck Kuan dan dihadiri oleh Dato Teo Kok Chee, Pengerusi Parti Gerakan Negeri Johor.

Ketuanan Melayu could be misinterpreted: Koh

2008-11-30T06:32:00.000-08:00

Opalyn Mok

GEORGE TOWN (Nov 30, 2008): The term 'ketuanan Melayu' (Malay supremacy) could be misinterpreted and the right terminology to be used should be from the Federal Constitution, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said today.

Commenting on Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's statement last Thursday that the ketuanan Melayu concept is no longer relevant, Koh said the appropriate words to use are "special position of the Malays and bumiputras" as written in the constitution.

"I am unsure of the effects of using a word that is not in the constitution as it can bring about a different meaning and it could be misinterpreted," he said.

He said the word 'ketuanan' may give rise to the interpretation that there's a 'tuan' (master) and a 'hamba' (slave).

"So, the proper terminology to be used should be from the constitution where it is stated that all the citizens' rights are protected," he said.

Koh said Article 153 of the Federal Constitution provided for the special position of the Malays and bumiputras and also the legitimate interests of all the other communities.

"The Federal Constitution should form the basis for all this, so there is no need to argue over it," he said at a press conference after delivering his opening address at the Gerakan Lifelong Members' annual general meeting"There is no point continuing to argue over the use of this terminology if we all refer to the constitution.

He said the interests and rights of all Malaysians must be prioritised because of the global economic crisis.

Earlier, in his speech, Koh said the poverty lines must be revised very six months because of the economic slowdown.

"We need to focus on the poverty-stricken as a lot of people are getting poorer. For example, the poverty line of two years ago may not be relevant now anymore," he said.

Koh said the way to help the poverty-stricken is to retrain them and look at more opportunities for them instead of only giving them money.

On Gerakan, Koh said the central committee held its second meeting on Saturday, during which Datuk Lim Kheng Guan and Dr Asharuddin Ahmad were sworn in as the two appointed central committee members, and Datuk Gooi Hoe Kin as the deputy dpeaker of the National Delegates Conference.

Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities and central committee member Kohilan Pillay was appointed a vice-president to fill the vacancy left by the late Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam.

The central bureaus were revamped to cover wider areas of responsibility. The central legal bureau has been redesignated the central bureau on human rights and law, and the publicity bureau is now known as the publicity, information and communications bureau.

The newly-created bureaus are the legislature liasion bureau, government administrative affairs bureau, environment, safety and quality of life bureau, and public health and social development bureau.

Former secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, who was appointed a vice-president, was reappointed to head the central training bureau, which has been renamed the central training and forums bureau.

On the Life Member Council, former party former president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik was elected uncontested as the chairman to the party immovable property committee. The two other members elected to the committee are Chua Chong An and Lim Heng Tee.

Six life members elected to the central committee are Lum Weng Keong, Dr Chee See Choke, Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, Dr Lim Thuang Seng, Yeoh Chip Tong and Khoo Soo Chai.

Gerakan veep Dr S. Vijayaratnam found dead (Update 4)

2008-11-03T05:28:00.001-08:00

By SARBAN SINGH and LESTER KONG

SEREMBAN: Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam died in what is believed to be a freak accident after he fell from the rooftop of his four-storey shoplot along Jalan Tuanku Hassan.

Dr Vijayaratnam, whose clinic is located at the ground floor, had apparently gone to the rooftop to inspect a leak when he slipped and fell to his death.

The 58-year-old former Plantations and Commodities parliamentary secretary was checking the building, known as Vijaya Mahal, as some parties had expressed their interest to rent the second floor.

Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam.

State police chief SAC II Datuk Osman Salleh said since Dr Vijayaratnam was not seeing any patients for the day, he decided to go up to look at the condition of the top floor.

“His nurse told us that he would go to the higher floors regularly. He came in at about 11am and took the keys for the top floors from the female employee,” he said.

The first floor is rented by a law firm while the second and third floors are rented by a company which provides computer classes.

Osman said police have classifed the case as sudden death.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that he may have slipped from the rooftop. There is nothing to indicate the involvement of a third party to suggest that he had committed suicide,” he said.

A police forensics team was also brought in to look for clues.

Osman said a set of keys to the upper floors was also found beside the deceased’s body.

“At this point in time, we do not think this is politically motivated ... he has no political enemies,” he said.

Osman said Dr Vijayaratnam was still alive after the fall but succumbed to his injuries a short while later. He suffered massive head injuries.

His brother Jothiratnam 49, said he last spoke with the deceased on Oct 23 before leaving for Rome.

“He was his usual jovial self ... this is shocking,” said Jothi, a freelance lecturer.

Jothi, who returned last night, said his brother did not suffer from any medical condition which could have been a factor in him taking his own life.

A neighbour who declined to be named said the deceased had a penchant for doing repairs himself.

“This building was very special to him. If he could do the repairs himself, he would prefer to do it himself,” he said.

The deceased’s friend who did not wish to be named said Dr Vijayaratnam was supposed to meet a contractor at his house along Jalan Dato Klana Ma’amor at 10am but delayed it to noon.

“He had plans to renovate his house. The contractor rushed the deceased’s wife to the clinic when told of the incident,” he said.

Dr Vijayaratnam, who is survived by wife T. Anusha and four children aged between 11 and 26, won the Gerakan vice-presidency for the fourth consecutive term in the party polls held on Oct 11. He received the second highest number of votes from a list of 10 candidates.

The doctor-turned-politician comes from a family of politicians. His father, the late Dr S. Seevaratnam was Member of Parliament for Seremban Barat between 1969 and 1974, and was also DAP national treasurer.

His uncle, the late S. Rajaratnam, was Foreign Minister of Singapore from 1966 to the mid 1980s.

Dr Vijayaratnam entered politics in 1981, the same year he entered private practice, after having served the Government for eight years. He was appointed a senator in 2002.

“I come from a family of politicians, so I’ve always been interested in politics,” he told The Star’s BizWeek in an interview late last year.

“When you are a doctor, you meet all kinds of people – rich, poor, corporate, blue-collar and white-collar. People in sickness also tend to expose their problems because psychology is a part of medicine.

“When they open up, you get drawn into their problems. Then comes the desire to try and do something to help them,” Dr Vijayaratnam said.

The former parliamentary secretary of the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry also told BizWeek that Gerakan was his party of choice from the start because of his strong belief in a non-racial approach to Malaysian politics.

Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said he and his party colleagues were extremely shocked and saddened by Dr Vijayaratnam’s sudden demise.

“We have lost a committed comrade and a close friend,” he said in a statement. “Dr Vijayaratnam has been a very dedicated and loyal leader of Gerakan since 1980. He has been a vice-president since 1999, and was also the chairman of Gerakan’s International and Inter-ethnic Relations Bureau.

“We pay tribute to a true Malaysian. Dr Vijayaratnam frequently contributed articles to the media to articulate the party’s ideology and stand on various issues of national concern,” he said.

Gerakan members said they had lost a true Malaysian who did his best to promote integration and instil a sense of muhibbah (racial harmony) not only among party members but also with everyone he met.

Party adviser Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik said Dr Vijayaratnam’s most enduring and memorable trait was his ability to mix with anyone he met.

“He was a disciplined party leader who got on well with all members, whether they were at the leadership level or grassroots members,” he told The Star.

He said Dr Vijayaratnam’s travels around the country over the years were on his own accord and got him elected vice-president for three consecutive terms.

“We are proud to have had a leader like him,” said Dr Lim.

Party deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Yuan, who has known Dr Vijayaratnam for more than 24 years, said the man was a dedicated and committed party member.

“He is a true Malaysian who always talked and argued for ... using the Malaysian perspective to tackle issues faced by the party,” he said.

Chang described Vijayaratnam as an accessible and friendly leader who played his role to help expand the party.

Wanita chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe said she would miss Vijayaratnam’s humility most of all.

“It is very sad and so shocking. We didn’t expect him to leave us so soon,” she said.

Gerakan veep Dr S. Vijayaratnam found dead (updated)

2008-11-02T22:05:00.000-08:00

SEREMBAN: Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam, 58, was found dead outside his clinic here at 11.20am on Monday. Police are investigating.

His body has been taken to the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital here for post-mortem.

The police are expected to hold a press conference soon to brief reporters on their initial findings.

Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam.

His uncle, the late S. Rajaratnam, was Foreign Minister of Singapore from 1966 to the mid 1980s.

Vijayaratnam entered politics in 1981, the same year he entered private practice, after having served the Government for eight years. He was appointed a senator in 2002.

“I come from a family of politicians, so I’ve always been interested in politics,” he told The Star’s BizWeek in an interview late last year.

“When they open up, you get drawn into their problems. Then comes the desire to try and do something to help them,” Vijayaratnam said.