Gerakan today launched a party rejuvenation campaign in its bid to rebound in mainstream politics and to regain people’s confidence.

The campaign also charts out the direction of the multi-ethnic party which is celebrating its 40th anniversary today, for the next five to 10 years with the vision to become the party of choice for all Malaysians.

It has outlined three thrusts, namely to voice Gerakan’s ideology, policy position and advocate Malaysian solutions for various major issues, to rebuild, rebrand and re-empower the party at all levels, and to regain people’s confidence.

Speaking at the launch at Menara PGRM here, acting party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the party would also embrace the new political climate and urged its members to unite and continue to contribute to the people based on the party’s ideology.

“Gerakan is now at a crossroad. This time proves to be more challenging than last time. But we are not starting from zero but from a strong base to make the party stronger,” he said.
With the slogan, “Forward Together with One Heart” (Satu Hati Gerak Bersama), the campaign was mooted after a nationwide brainstorming and discussions with grassroot leaders two weeks ago, following its dismal performance in the March 8 general election.

The campaign will focus on eight strategies, namely to formulate and voice principled policy positions and solutions for major national issues, to be constructive opposition in Pakatan Raykat-led states and to pursue reforms of Barisan Nasional (BN) as an effective multi-racial coalition, to effectively rebuild and revitalise the party, to forge smart partnership with society and NGOs, to embark on membership expansion and consolidation, to boost and train more leaders, to re-energise and revamp the party at all levels, and to further improve communication and public relations strategies.

Later at a news conference, Koh said the party would be more proactive and vocal in raising issues concerning people of all races.

“In the last two and a half months, we resolved that we have a positive role in BN based on our struggle and contributions in the last 40 years.

“Before this, we worked but spoke less, but now we also want to speak up more,” he said.

He said Gerakan would also conduct more activities and gain a stronger foothold in states which it previously had low-key presence, like Perlis and Sabah.

Dr Koh said he would also continue to champion the cause for BN to be a more integrated multi-racial coalition.

He said the general election which had altered the country’s political landscape, had also strengthened integration among BN component parties.

"Previously, we were not meeting that often to discuss issues at all levels, thus we were not so in agreement with each other. Now the BN at all levels is meeting every month.

“This is a positive start. There is a lot more integration now,” he said.