Gerakan should have left BN a decade ago

GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan should have left the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition earlier, said a former party Youth leader.
The multi-ethnic party should have left at least one decade ago as the manner of Umno's behaviour was in direct contrast to the principles of Gerakan, said Ong Khang Woon, who was previously the wing's International Bureau head.
Ong, who was also the former Kelantan Gerakan Youth head, said that he has nothing personal against Umno as the party did what it felt was necessary to strengthen its political dominance, but others in BN suffered as a result of it.
"In the last general election, Gerakan was punished not because of itself, but due to the hatred towards Umno (BN). We are now at the crossroads."
According to Ong, the party will now have to allow its grassroots to decide on the decision taken by the central committee to leave BN.
Gerakan's decision leaves only Umno with MIC and MCA in BN - the original founding parties of the Alliance before it grew to become BN in 1973.
Ong was responding to reports that Gerakan's leadership has decided to leave the once-dominant national coalition.
The decision will be ratified at the party's annual general assembly.
He said that Gerakan was born as a party of humility and it was people-centric, hence it managed to win support for close to half a century.
In Penang, Gerakan was accredited with developing the island state until it has two cross-channel bridges which are among the world's longest, and it transformed the economy from trade and tourism to manufacturing and now services.
Ong said that Gerakan remained etched in the history of Penang, with its two chief ministers - the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and economist - Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who have elevated the state's fortunes.
Gerakan is also the only BN party not to be tainted with scandals.
"But it is now in the past. To look to the future, the party needs to find a niche for itself in the new Malaysia."
Former Gerakan treasurer Senator Datuk Ng Chiang Chin said that the party has to now start from zero, but he hopes that by leaving BN, the party can regain some momentum towards redeeming themselves.
Penang Gerakan Publicity Bureau head Ooi Zhi Yi said that only time will tell if the party had made a good move to exit BN.
"There are pros and cons, but we must be resolute."
There is always highs and lows in politics, he said.