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.
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 |
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)
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.
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
