THERE is a push within Gerakan for the party to consider going solo following the move by PAS to sever relations with Bersatu in the Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc.
Party insiders, mostly veteran members, say it is counterproductive to remain in PN as the alliance's political future is insecure and voters traditionally prefer to support sustainable political parties with proven records.
The insiders have since urged his party to rethink its political alignment.
"We need to go the hard but principled way. Gerakan is one of the parties that has stayed above the fray of mud-slinging and dirty politics. It should count for something. Voters may warm back to us once they realise that they had had enough of others, who only preach but do not practise good governance," they said.
Also, Gerakan is seen largely more as a victim of political circumtances because the party has no stigma of corruption or misgovernance, they said.
They urged the party leadership to focus on two or three states, where the party continues to have clout, although not much in view of the missteps by the previous leadership.
Among the states, they cited which Gerakan may have a chance to wrest a few seats, are Penang, Selangor and Johor.
The party insiders said that the comeback roadmap is tough, so it is better to start with a few seats and for Gerakan to be a regional-based party rather than a national one.
They added that Gerakan is also finding it difficult to identify candidates who can take on the likes of the ruling coalition of Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN), Bersama and PAS effectively and convincingly.
"Also, any multi-ethnic party would face difficulty capturing its diversified base of voters if it continues to work with parties which tend to solely champion race and religious rights only, rather than progressive policies."
In Penang, there is a demand for an alternative to DAP because over a decade of rule by the latter has led to the current stagnation, political impasse mixed with their internal discord, which has impeded the way forward for the state, said the insiders.
"There is an opportunity for Gerakan, but it must play the right cards."
They said this after Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, who expressed commitment in a social media posting to continue with PN despite the uncertainty surrounding the ties between allies Bersatu and PAS.
"We appreciate the commitment of PAS and Bersatu, and we await an official clarification regarding the matter before we can issue our stance."
But with the state elections of Johor and Negeri Sembilan soon, there is a need to secure a strong alliance to offer an alternative to the voters.
Lau said that Gerakan will continue to play its role in PN for now. - June 12, 2026.
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