Introduction
1. Before I deliver my last speech as the President of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, I would like to thank you all for making an effort to attend this Extraordinary National Delegates’ Conference which marks a smooth transition of leadership to a new generation of leaders. I am confident and firmly believe that, this transition should ignite a new fervour and energy to bring Gerakan further to the forefront in the next decade. I assure you that a good Gerakanist does not just fade away. Instead we will be around for as long as we are still needed to continue to play our part as Gerakanist in our struggle to effect a Malaysian nation which is fair and just for all. Please allow me then to deliberate some of my views before my departure as President.
Party Ideology
2. When the party was established in May 1968 by a group of eminent political leaders and academicians, its main intention was to offer a non-racial solution to the multifarious communal-centric political, social and economic problems faced by the society. A few years before that, it was evident that the newly independent country was confronted with serious problems which eventually led to an opposition dominated general elections in 1969.
3. At the 1969 general elections, Gerakan – with its credible line-up – was seen and accepted as a breath of fresh air to national politics. Its non-racial ideology was very well accepted by the voters in Penang, Kedah, Perak, and Selangor. As an opposition party then, Gerakan captured the state government of Penang but decided to stay out of the opposition front in both Perak and Selangor due to growing racial agitation and ill-feeling.
4. The decision was proven to be accurate when the sentiment eventually led to racial riots in May 1969. The aftermath of the riots had transformed the socio-economic landscape of Malaysia resulting in the promulgation of the affirmative policy, the NEW ECONOMIC POLICY (NEP) with the 2 prong objectives namely : (i) to eradicate poverty irrespective of ethnic background; and (ii) to restructure the Malaysian society in order to eradicate ethnic identification with their economic functions. The basic principle of the NEP is to effect meaningful and gainful participation by all Malaysian through sustainable and balanced development. It is indeed comprehensive and all encompassing. It underpins the entire political, economic and social structure of our nation in achieving the ultimate goal of NATIONAL UNITY. We must constantly be vigilant against the derailment of these noble objectives in implementation by racism, extremism and chauvinism of any form.
5. Eventually, after the emergency declaration was lifted and parliament reconvened, Gerakan under the leadership of Tun Dr Lim decided to work closely with the Alliance as a Penang coalition government, so that normalcy and peace can be returned quickly to the people. He had an enormous task to attract FDI to help boost the state economy which was saddled with an unemployment rate of 17 percent.
6. From the early years of Gerakan, it was obvious that the party took its non-racial ideology very seriously. Second, the leaders were accountable and cared for the people’s well-being more than their own victories. Consequently, Gerakan supported the process of national healing and unity via the formation of a broad coalition under the Barisan Nasional in 1974. Moving forward, these two key elements – non-racialism and national unity – became important political pillars of the party.
National Politics and Our Role in BN
7. From the 1974 general elections onwards, the party did not look back but went on to establish itself as a national party and an important partner in BN. Together with a highly committed group of party leaders, we toured the country and established branches in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor.
8. Today, the party is represented in all states except Sarawak. Many of our party leaders are tasked with key positions in these states and at the federal level to contribute positively to their development.
9. Hence, a huge representation comes with a huge responsibility. Today, governance is more complicated than 50 years ago. It is not sufficient to offer good community services alone but leaders must be able to understand issues and challenges faced by the nation which are of global quantum. As a nation, we are more integrated to the world system than before. Malaysia is the world’s 19th biggest trading nation and one of the most open economies.
10. The party has highlighted the importance of reinvention in order for us to move in tandem with global trends. Our 21st century reinvention booklet provides key areas of focus and I would advise all members to study it diligently if we want to remain relevant.
11. Moreover, I am convinced that it is time we rethink our policy formulation and implementation processes. The BN government is aware of the growing sense of identity and belonging amongst Malaysians and this movement hinted at a need to decommunalise our policies and political rhetoric. Politicians cannot aspire to become national leaders if they continue to practice a racialist mindset.
12. Even our developmental policy is showing a sign of change. Weeks ago, the Prime Minister has agreed to exempt the newly launched Iskandar Development Region from the FIC rules. The proposal was mooted by the high-profile advisory panel of IDR. I am elated to note that our socio-economic development perspective is becoming more national and less communal.
13. I foresee the next generation Gerakan leaders to continue playing a significant role on two fronts. First, leaders, who are trusted with important frontline positions in the government, must contribute meaningfully and positively to help the country realize the objectives of Vision 2020. These leaders must be proactive to seek out the latest skills and knowledge to enable them to perform their duty to the best ability. Only through a good performance that Gerakan can claim to be at the forefront of Malaysia’s politics and a conscience of BN.
14. Second, the party must be more vigilant in its efforts to promote a non-racial approach within the BN and national politics. Over the last decade, through our quiet way, I believe that Gerakan has successfully imbued a sense of non-racialism in numerous public policies and political discourses. We must persevere to create a socio, economic and political environment whereby all Malaysians can seek self fulfillment and self respect towards achieving Vision 2020 and a truly Bangsa Malaysia. Gerakan was in the forefront calling for the democratization of education. Gerakan must continue to ensure the depolitisation of religion and upholding of the Federal Constitution as well as the tenets of the Rukun Negara. It is my hope to see current and future leaders of the party continue to uphold, support and defend multiculturalism and non-racialism in the future. We must continue with the spirit of tolerance, goodwill and ‘permuafakatan’ consensus building in resolving national issues and problems.
Providing a Strong and Confident Leadership
in Penang
15. As I mentioned earlier, Gerakan’s brand of non-racialism politics was seen as a bright light amidst the communalist gloom in the sixties. Catapult by a strong opposition sentiment, the party captured the state government of Penang in the 1969 general elections. Our leadership in the state would have been taken as a one-off fluke and Gerakan as an instant political party if we did not do a good job subsequently to reaffirm the people’s trust in us.
16. On this, I would like to pay a tribute to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and his team of capable leaders (the late Dato’ Oh Chooi Cheng and Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim, S.P.Chelliah, Dato Harun Sirat, Tan Sri Khoo Kay Por, Dato’ Mustafa Hussein) who had performed wonders when they successfully transformed the state economy from backwaters into a silicon island within the short span of two decades. Tun Dr Lim is touted as Malaysia’s Father of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Penang’s ability to attract foreign investments helped to catalyst and provided a framework for the establishment of investment and industrial free trade zones all over the country.
17. I am glad to note that Saudara Dr Koh, the present chief minister of Penang and the incoming acting president of the party, has kept the traditions of Gerakan leadership alive and further bringing development in Penang. Since a poor performance of the BN in the 1990 general elections, the Gerakan-led state BN coalition has regained back most of its lost grounds. All of our 13 state candidates were successfully elected in by the voters in the 2004 general elections.
18. While we rejoice our good performance, at the same time we should not be complacent and over confident. We must be reminded often that our ability to provide a strong and confident leadership in Penang comes from our own commitment to a clean and efficient government and solid community services rendered. Once the commitment of excellence is clouded by a sense of complacency, other ill habits such as corruption, non-performance, insensitive to people’s needs, egoism, selfishness et cetera will sip into our party’s culture.
19. Aspiring leaders of the party are often told that they should join politics to serve the people and not themselves. This must serve as a constant reminder to all members.
A Tribute to Past Leaders
20. Our founding fathers had fought to ensure the party’s commitment to its non-racial ideology was rock solid. Over the years, we have used this non-racial approach in a non-hostile and non-reactionary way to influence national politics dominated by racially-based parties.
21. Until today, this non-racial approach seeks to reduce the grip of communal politics by promoting our similarities and the benefits of focusing on our shared common values. I would like to pay my tribute to the founding leaders such as the late Professor Syed Hussein Alatas, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon, Ng Ek Teong, Yeoh Teck Chye, Dr Peters and Professor Wang Gungwu who had contributed to the creation of the party’s non-racial ideology.
22. Post 1969, under the leadership Tun Dr Lim the party had proven its ability to lead and govern a state through a far-sighted socio-economic policy. It was an important transition for the party from an opposition to a ruling component party in the BN, a partnership we are firmly committed to until now.
23. From 1974 onwards, the party set important milestones by consolidating its position as a national party and an important coalition partner in BN. The tireless efforts of leaders such as the late Saudara Alex Lee, Saudara Soong Siew Hoong, Saudara Chan Choong Tak, Saudara Paul Leong, Saudara Ong Boon Seong, Saudara Aw How Cheong, Dr. Goon Swee Fook, Yap Chee Miang and many others helped to expand the network of the party all across the nation.
24. In the subsequent ‘growth years’ of the party, we had received members from the opposing factions of MCA. In 1981, a group of MCA leaders headed by Tan Sri Michael Chen joined the party. In the same year, we have also received members from the Chinese Educationist movements such as Saudara Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Saudara Dr Kang Chin Seng, Saudara Kerk Choo Ting and the late Saudara Ong Tin Kim.
25. Although their entry into the party were at times not as smooth as we had wanted, but it is undeniable that some of them had contributed significantly to the strengthening of the party. Many of the members who were brought in by the mass exodus of leaders into our party have remained faithful and helpful till today. For this, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation for their support in my years as the president of the party.
26. Today, our party is better organized in all states except for Sarawak. We no longer experience such massive entries into our party as in the 80’s. Although Gerakan is meant to be a movement for Malaysian rakyat, we have become more selective in our membership recruitment. Our new members must subscribe to our non-racial political ideology and our commitment to contribute to the creation of a truly Bangsa Malaysia.
27. However, the party has remained close to its grassroots and its commitment to serve the people. Under our constitution, a branch chairman gets an automatic representation at the division, state and national levels. As a result of our grassroots orientation, we have to impose a limit on the number of branches so that the number of delegates to our annual national delegates’ conference is kept at a manageable level. This underlines our focus on quality and not quantity.
Saudara-saudari,
28. Major revamps have been undertaken in the last few years to strengthen our party’s infrastructure and facilities to allow us to perform our duty more effectively. The party HQ operations are now able to serve and act as a liaison centre with branches nationally.
29. The bureaus and working committees that function out of the HQ act as a feedback conduit to inform the national leaders on the views expressed by our members. We have forged meaningful partnerships with various NGOs and international organizations such as the CALD and Friedrich Naumann Foundation to provide training opportunities to our members.
30. I am happy to announce that the party has expanded its physical presence quite significantly in the last two decades. We have added another tower to our Menara PGRM, which is now proudly known as the Gerakan Twin Towers. We have built a state HQ in all states. Similarly, our representatives in all our parliamentary constituencies have helped to acquire buildings owned by the party to provide better access to services for their constituents.
31. At the moment, the party is financially stable and is able to conduct party activities at a modest level using its own funds which are collected from rentals. As such, we should all rededicate ourselves and continue to focus on building other ‘soft capabilities’ or ‘soft wares’ for the party such as SATU Academy, National Dialogue Initiatives and Sedar Institute.
32. In addition, we are deeply involved in the building, expanding and running of the Wawasan Open University to provide a flexible, affordable and open access to education for all Malaysians. The party is able to get sponsorships and pledges from both the corporate sector and charitable organizations to fund the university. Hence, the promotion of the university, in order to provide a second chance for Malaysians to aspire a tertiary education, is within our financial means and ability.
33. It is very obvious that the party has its plate full with projects and programmes that we must accomplish in order to fulfill our promises to the people. I am confident that you all will lend your strongest support and assistance as a team to the new leadership under Saudara Dr Koh Tsu Koon to see through these promises and projects.
After Retirement
34. After 26 years, I have come to the end of my journey as the President of Gerakan. While it is time to pass on the baton to my relay partner, I would like to remind you that the journey for the party is far from over. Like the wise Aristotle once said, “One should keep the torch burning brightly before passing it down to the next person”. I hope I have accomplished this feat.
35. As much as I had hoped for my 26 years to be all glorious, I must admit that as a human being I am not perfect and the imperfection did show up from time to time. However, if one leads through honesty, sincerity and with the right intention the errors can be corrected and rough edges perfected. As I had said, the party is bigger than any individual and are you big enough for the party? I believe I leave you with a party as its best position possible. For the unintentional mistakes I may had made, I would like to extend to you my sincerest apology.
36. I look forward to be able to contribute in other capacity if required by the party. To my successor, I wish you all the best. Once again, I would like to urge all party leaders and members to give our undivided support to the acting President, Saudara Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
SATU HATI!
Thank you.
