Acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (right) and Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye are tickled by a delegate’s remark at the conference in Menara PGRM.

GERAKAN has pledged to continue with its liberal, progressive, moderate and non-racial approach and to fight all forms of racism and extremism.

Acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon called on members to uphold this belief and reminded them that there would be times when their patience and beliefs would be tested.

He said the practice was also adopted in general by the Barisan Nasional despite attacks from the opposition.

“Pas has been attacking Umno for not doing enough for the Malays and not being Islamic enough. Gerakan, MCA and MIC were attacked by the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat for not doing enough for the non-Malays.

“We are being pulled towards extremism as it is easier to fan emotions and create racial tensions than giving advice based on moderate approaches,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Gerakan national delegates’ conference yesterday.

Koh said the liberal, progressive, moderate and non-racial approach had to be maintained because extremist politics would break the country.

Citing an example, Koh said when BN was set up in 1973 and headed by then prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the priority was on development and not racial politics.

The same approach was adopted by Razak’s successor, Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and now Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who stressed on unity through plans like Vision 2020 and the national mission.

“We should continue with their approaches. Don’t forget why we are in the BN, it’s because we want to contribute to the nation’s development. We don’t want to play race politics.”

As Gerakan’s objectives are also in line with the prime minister’s aspirations, the party decided to produce a booklet that underlined the salient points in four national documents — the federal constitution, Rukun Negara, Vision 2020 and national mission — for distribution.

“If we continue our work, one of our dreams of having a single political party containing all races will be a reality. We are not self-centred or selfish, we are not saying Gerakan’s is the only way to do so.

“However, if BN becomes a party, Gerakan will be the first to dissolve itself,” he said, adding that such change would not happen overnight.

He also urged Gerakan members to have a strong team spirit and not allow petty issues to deter them from doing their jobs.

“I appeal to you to focus on the liberal, progressive moderate and non-racial approach. We must speak out and combat any forms of racism and extremism. By practising it as a team with the Satu Hati spirit, we can continue our fight for the nation.”

Although unity was important, he also reminded the people not to forget the economy.

“If the economy is not growing and people are not given more opportunities, there will be lots of unhappiness around. It is only with an expanding cake that we can continue to talk about sharing,” he said.

Mah: I love Gerakan but equality more important

“I LOVE the party but the goal of creating a multiracial party that promotes equality for all is more important.”

This was Gerakan Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong’s reply to criticism that he “disliked” Gerakan.

Mah had earlier suggested that Barisan Nasional’s 14 component parties should be consolidated into a single entity.

At the winding-up session yesterday, Mah said that there were probably a number of members who were upset with his suggestion because a single party would also mean the end of Gerakan.

He said his suggestion did not contradict the party’s vision as Gerakan was founded to serve the people.

“The prime minister said he wants to hear the truth and wants us to speak the truth. Well, the truth is that in some parties, some of their leaders are still using race to promote their cause.

“They incite racial sentiments among their community in a petty attempt to further their political career.”

He said race politics should be abolished to achieve national unity.

“In a multicultural party, if a politician wants to succeed, he would need to prove his ability and win the support from all races, not just his own.”

On corruption, Mah felt that revelations in the Auditor-General’s Report 2006 had shaken the confidence of the grassroots.

Gerakan vice-president Chang Ko Youn said that although race issues dominated the debates, it was a positive sign, reflecting a maturing democracy.

He said the increased coverage of these racial issues in the media was proof that the space for such discussions had widened — a sign of the country’s maturity.

“With the growth of blogs and websites on the Internet, we have the channels to make our feelings and opinions known.”

Meanwhile, a delegate was ticked off when he called for acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to be made president.

Speaker Tan Sri Dr Chin Fook Weng admonished Kepong division member Yaw Kan Choy for his remarks, saying that there were proper procedures to follow.

“We cannot simply appoint Dr Koh to the post. There are regulations to be followed and as chairman of the party’s constitution committee, it is my responsibility to defend it.”

Koh later said that despite being an “acting president” until formally receiving the delegates’ mandate at the party’s election next year, he was confident of leading Gerakan to greater heights.

Tan: Teach men how to behave with women

IT is time for men to teach men on how to behave themselves with women and this could reduce harassment and sex crimes against women.

Gerakan Wanita chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe said that with crime against women becoming increasingly rampant, it was time for the men to contribute to the fight against it instead of pointing fingers at women.

“For years, women were always blamed when it came to issues of rape and molest. So, we teach our women to travel safely and dress modestly but the problem still persists.

“What’s worse is that we can’t even trust men in our homes, especially with so many incest cases being reported,” she said, adding that children were also not safe.

She said that although she was not being anti-men, everyone should take note that all the aggressors against women were men.

At the winding-up session at the Gerakan national delegates’ conference yesterday, Tan suggested that Gerakan Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong should look into holding workshops for men.

Mah, who was at the conference, nodded in agreement.

Tan also said issues such as integrity, safety and national unity were important and needed to be nailed down to ensure a sustainable future.

“If not tackled now, discontentment among the people will spread like cancer and destroy the future of our nation.”

Based on her feedback from the grassroots, she said many were wondering if the government acted in their interest.

’Uphold spirit of consultation’

GERAKAN has called for the spirit, principles and process of inter-racial consultation and co-operation, which led to the nation achieving independence and the setting up of Barisan Nasional, to be firmly upheld and strengthened.

This was one of the 12 declarations unanimously adopted at the 36th Gerakan national delegates’ conference yesterday.

The others were:

• To fully support the acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to lead the party to meet the country’s current political, economic and social challenges;

• To record their deepest gratitude and appreciation to Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik for his wisdom and continued contribution to the party as its adviser;

• To fully support the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his efforts to create a fair and just Malaysian society;

• That the federal constitution be protected and strongly defended by all Malaysians and that the present legal system of civil laws be maintained and upgraded;

• That the Rukun Negara be emphasised, promoted widely and used as a guide for formulating all government policies and programmes so as to further strengthen national unity;

• That the concept of Bangsa Malaysia be further reaffirmed, promoted and realised;

• That all Malaysians be assured of a place under the Malaysian sun and be treated equally and fairly, with no group to be left out or left behind in the country’s development and progress;

• That the implementation and roll-out of projects in the development corridors and under the Ninth9th Malaysia Plan be implemented effectively, transparently and fairly to ensure participation and benefit by all communities and social strata;

• That greater efforts be madetaken by the police to combat crime, to upgrade the police force’s effectiveness, and to encourage public participation through the Police Volunteer Reserve, Rela, Rukun Tetangga, village security and development committeesJKKK and safe city initiatives;

• That concrete steps be taken to control the prices of fuel and essential goods; to improve the productivity, quality and competitiveness of the economy and to further expand and upgrade the human capital base; and

• To intensify the party’s role in building a better, fairer, more united and just Malaysian society and to continue to voice out the hopes, aspirations, and concerns of all Malaysians without fear or favour.