KOTA BARU – While Gerakan’s admission into the ruling Perikatan Nasional has raised eyebrows, the party’s Kelantan chapter is encouraged by the prospect of going to the polls as part of a formidable bloc.
The state Gerakan foresees the next general election as featuring three major political coalitions.
Its election coordinator, Ong Khang Woon, said besides traditional giant Barisan Nasional, comprising Umno, MCA, MIC, and Sabah and Sarawak allies, there will be Pakatan Harapan, consisting of PKR, DAP and Amanah, as well as PN.
Gerakan will now work hand in hand with not just Malay outfit Umno, but also the Islamist PAS, which has headed Kelantan since 1990.
For the first time in Malaysian politics, said Ong, three-cornered fights can be expected in almost all 222 parliamentary seats.
He told The Vibes that Gerakan envisions Umno and Bersatu as no longer allies under the Muafakat Nasional banner given their war of words of late, which has simmered down only due to the movement control order and state of emergency imposed to curb Covid-19.
“We think Umno remains, for now, in MN because it wants to maintain a stable government, which is crucial to help the country weather the pandemic.”
He said there are two views in his party – one prefers Gerakan to remain as an independent third force, while the other supports joining PN.
“It means that Gerakan will now contest seats based on consensus and the ability to win.”
It is important for the party, which represent all races and holds a multi-ethnic ideology, to join a national coalition, he said.
Its decision to be part of PN also points to Gerakan potentially squaring off with MCA and MIC, which were allies when Gerakan was in BN, as well as Sabah and Sarawak parties, in addition to PH heavyweights.
Doubts about PAS in Kelantan
Ong said initially, Gerakan was keen to contest in Kelantan as the party has strong support among Malaysians of Siamese descent, as well as some Malays, but the matter now remains to be seen.
“Not everyone in Kelantan supports PAS. The party lacks leadership to push the state forward.”
He said PAS may have to choose between Umno and Bersatu.
Yesterday, Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau received a letter of acceptance on the party’s bid to join PN from pact chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the prime minister’s office in Putrajaya.
Lau said the party remains focus on wresting Penang, which it led from 1969 to 2008, from DAP. – The Vibes, February 12, 2021
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