Gerakan contented to be a mosquito party?

(Oriental Daily) – Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong gave an interview to Chinese media recently, saying he had confidence to revert the massive defeats in the last two election by winning five parliamentary and 12 state seats in the coming polls. While one may feel that Gerakan is getting ambitious, the party is actually limiting itself to play the role of a “mosquito” party.

Gerakan was the biggest opposition party when the party was founded. Subsequently, it joined Barisan Nasional and has since been subjected to sharing of interest among all Barisan component parties. It has been repeatedly giving way to MCA and eventually, get stuck in the role of defending only the Penang state.

When Barisan ruled Penang, UMNO had repeatedly threatened to get rid of the Chinese chief minister while MCA also wanted to take back the post as they had more state seats.

In the 308 and 505 elections, Gerakan turned belly up in Penang. Fortunately, MCA also turned turtle. They lost the ruling power of Penang or otherwise, UMNO might take advantage and transform the political situation in Penang.

Mah Siew Keong listed all Gerakan’s achievements in the interview but failed to raise any big political strategy. This is the weakness of Gerakan and also the embarrassing point of Barisan component parties.

Barisan always proclaims Barisan spirit but in actual fact, it is just the policy of UMNO and the President of the party cum Prime Minister. Gerakan, at its most, could only play the role promoting moderation and “blue ocean” concept.

MCA on the other hand is in control of all Chinese issues like Chinese education development, Malaysia-China relations and even those relating to people’s livelihood. As such, Gerakan could only stand aside and pick up the “bones” left over by Barisan’s other major partners. As such, Gerakan has been left alone in defending its isolated stronghold in Penang and suffered the massive defeat eventually. It is quite expected.

Based on the outcome of the 505 general election, Gerakan’s strongholds in Penang have been completely uprooted while the seats it won were outside the state of Penang. The party managed to get one parliamentary and one state seat in Johor. Besides that, the party went over to Sabah and got two local leaders Raymond Tan and Au Kam Wah to join Gerakan. They both retained their state seats in the 505 election while Mah himself won the Teluk Intan seat in a by-election.

As such, Gerakan should not impose self-restraint and contented itself to be a mosquito party. It should take advantage of the winning streak and make more requests from Barisan central leadership.

At this moment, even though voters still grumble a lot about Pakatan Harapan, the rate of returning votes to MCA is not high. It is not about getting Gerakan to replace MCA. Just ask to contest for more parliamentary and state seats.

MCA find it safer to contest in mixed constituencies in suburban areas. But Gerakan may have a chance to win in urban mixed constituencies. However, much will depend on Gerakan’s overall strategy and stamina and whether the party is bold enough to challenge some of the pertinent issues.

Without relevant strategy, Mah can only talk. It is alright if the party can win a few seats, what’s worrying is that it may even lag behind PPP, can’t even be called a mosquito party anymore.

There is no point in attacking the Rocket. MCA lashes out a lot and people become resentful. Gerakan is clear about this. Therefore, the party is behaving like a gentleman: do more and talk less. Of course, there are exceptional few.

Gerakan is still lacking in bold and aggressive spirit. This is the best time for Gerakan to take on the whole nation. If the party failed to seize the opportunity, it would be a matter of time that it would vanish. Please don’t think of continuing to be sandwiched in the little gap and survive.