IPOH: Stop sulking and maintain service to the people despite being defeated in the general election, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has told party members.

He said they should maintain their activities and services in constituencies and areas, which were previously under their control.

This, he said, included municipal and district councillors who should still provide activities and services to the people.

“We should not sulk and simply lie low because of our defeat and we become disenchanted and disheartened,” he said after a closed-door dialogues with Perak Gerakan members on Thursday night.

“We should start work now rather than wait till later. We must really lay the groundwork to rebuild the party," he said.

Dr Koh, who is also former Penang chief minister, pointed out that the party was identifying young, energetic and committed leaders to play a frontline role so that they could be candidates for the elections in future.

He said Gerakan was not considering the option of pulling out of the Barisan Nasional because the focus now was on rebuilding and reforming the party.

He said the party would concentrate on effecting reforms in the Barisan so that the coalition would be more responsive to all communities.

“We have to respond faster to the feelings and aspirations of the people,” he said.

Dr Koh said the party leaders would also have to change their style to be more vocal and visible rather than doing their work quietly.