GEORGE TOWN – Politicians should be vocal if they want to win the hearts and minds of the people, said a Gerakan veteran.
Wong Mun Hoe, formerly a Gerakan central committee member and party strategist, told The Vibes that gone are the days when toeing party lines to maintain a united front is considered politically correct by the people.
“It is because becoming outspoken is now essential when society is devastated by the pandemic and each country suffers from economic doldrums,” said Wong.
He also said that people are now craving for political parties who will speak without fear or favour, champion issues without having to backpedal and most importantly, become a party of conscience for the people.
“Parties can join alliances such as Gerakan which is now with Perikatan Nasional (PN), sharing power with the Umno-led Barisan Nasional and PAS in ruling the federal government.
“But joining a team must also mean that one can voice out issues without fear or favour.”
Besides Gerakan, the PN coalition consists of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, PAS, Sabah Star and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).
On speculation that Gerakan may contest in the Melaka state election, Wong said that the party needs to get out of the quagmire it finds itself in by changing its political style to suit concurrent needs.
“Yes, for relevance, Gerakan needs to join a coalition, but it must also speak out and be bold on issues dear to the nation, especially if issues are seen as principally wrong.
“We were then known as a party of conscience. We must reclaim our virtues.”
Gerakan’s founders – the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and the late Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik were personalities who graced the political scene before retiring in the early 2000s.
Speaking out was what set Gerakan apart until it continued to control Penang from 1969 to 2008 when the party lost in the general election, Wong said.
He also urged the party to distinguish itself by fighting issues which are of grave concern to the country, instead of just remaining in the background, grasping at straws while dominant parties chart their fortunes.
Wong also wants Gerakan candidates to openly declare that they will not defect as the people are fed up with “frogs” (elected representatives who defect to other parties), since their manoeuvres destabilise the country’s harmony.
“If they defect, they must remain as independents and serve their constituents well, or perhaps face legal action for disrespecting the voters.”
Political pundits believed that Gerakan needs a rejuvenation if they are to regain the political capital that they once enjoyed in the three decades before 2008.
The party has had zero seats since 2008 in Penang, once its bastion state.
Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021
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