Mah: Stop controversial remarks and focus on the people

KUALA LUMPUR: Be careful in making statements that could be a detriment to national unity, Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong (pix) reminded party members and leaders.
He said controversial remarks made by Gerakan members would hinder the efforts made by the party when addressing matters concerning the public.
He added Gerakan has always supported the vernacular and religious school systems in the country, stating that the party had provided numerous assistance to such schools before.
"We want all of our members and leaders to be very careful on things that they say. The country is facing a lot of problems economically and socially.
"We want to focus on issues affecting the rakyat. We do not want controversial issues which will take us away from that focus," he said.
"This is our position. We do not want to talk about things that could separate the people. We want to talk about things that can unite them," he said in a press conference after chairing the party's central committee meeting at Gerakan headquarters.
He was commenting on a statement made by Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai which had reportedly saying that government-funded religious schools were a threat to national unity.
Lau had later claimed that his remark was misquoted by the media and offered his apology after the issue drew criticisms from various party.
Mah said Lau had explained his position over the matter to the party's central committee and that he had no intention to offend any group.
"Dominic (Lau) has express regret that his statement was misquoted and he has already issued a statement to apologise if he has hurt the feelings of others," Mah said.
On a separate matter, Mah said the party has so far appointed 45 coordinators in both federal and state constituencies nationwide in preparation for the 14th General Election.
He also announced the appointment of Datuk A. Kohilan Pillay, Datuk Asharuddin Ahmad and Datuk Baljit Singh as coordinators in Batu Kawan, Bukit Bendera and Jelutong parliamentary seats respectively.
He called voters in Penang to give Gerakan the chance to retake Penang from the opposition, following the party's suprise defeat in the 2008 General Election.
"Gerakan Penang has been working very hard and we are looking forward for representatives in the state legislative assembly," he said.