Gerakan has reinvented itself into the alternative to DAP
Now that the support for DAP is waning, and by extension the support for Pakatan Harapan as well, Gerakan is well-poised to grab the support of the 85-95% Chinese voters who voted DAP in the last three general elections.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Gerakan abandoned the dying Barisan Nasional so that it can become an independent political party where it could then reinvent itself. It appears it has done just that. Gerakan has reinvented itself into a party that is more Chinese than the chauvinist DAP.
Now that the support for DAP is waning, and by extension the support for Pakatan Harapan as well, Gerakan is well-poised to grab the support of the 85-95% Chinese voters who voted DAP in the last three general elections.
In Malaysia, you are either Malay or Chinese. Chinese vote Chinese and Malays vote Malay. Field a Chinese in Kota Bharu or a Malay in Kepong and see what will happen. The hapless candidate would not only lose but will lose his or her deposit as well.
In the past the problem with the Malays is they were badly divided into two parties, Umno and PAS. The Chinese, on the other hand were divided into three: MCA, Gerakan and DAP.
In the previous general election, the Chinese were all united under DAP (while MCA and Gerakan were dead ducks) and the Malays were divided into five: Umno, PAS, PKR, PPBM and Amanah. That was why Pakatan Harapan managed to oust Barisan Nasional.
Today’s anti-ICERD rally was not so much a protest against ICERD but a test to see if the Malays could come together again. In the next general election it is going to be Chinese versus Malays so Gerakan, DAP and MCA will need to battle it out for the Chinese vote.
Gerakan’s new strategy of reinventing itself into a Chinese party and grabbing the Chinese votes from DAP may actually allow the party to survive the next general election and not fade away like what is happening to MIC, PPP and MCA.
Gerakan quit Barisan Nasional to reinvent itself into an alternative Chinese party to DAP
President:
Sdr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai
Deputy President:
Sdr. Oh Tong Keong 胡栋强
Elected Vice Presidents: Sdr. Baljit Singh A/L Jigiri Singh
: Sdr. Chong Vee Hin (David)
: Sdr. Koo Shiaw Lee
: Sdri. Janice Wong (Wanita)
: Sdri. Ooi Zhi Yi (Pemuda)
Appointed Vice Presidents: Sdr. Randy Yap
: Sdr. Gan Peng Lam (Michael)
: Sdr. Soo Kay Ping
: Parameswaran A/L Ganasan
Secretary General:
Sdr. Mak Kah Keong
Deputy Secretary General:
Sdr. Wendy A/P Subramaniam
National Treasurer:
Sdr. Hng Chee Wey
Deputy National Treasurer:
Sdr. Teo Lee Ho (Albert)
Speaker:
Sdr. Dr. Asharuddin Ahmad
Deputy Speaker:
Sdr. Prabagaran A/L Vythilingam
Organisation Secretary:
Sdr. Ben Liew Pok Boon
Elected CC members: Hng Chee Wey
: Gan Peng Lam
: Ngoh Kwee Meng
: Marimuthu Selvan A/L Muniandy
: Wong Kim Su
: Ang John Sun
: Lim Teong Khim
: Ching Su Chen
: Teo Lee Ho
: Ker Ching Sheng
: Mak Kah Keong
: Soo Kay Ping
: Chia Phen Fong
: Lee Ban Fatt
: Chew Jyh Gang (Jimmy)
: Ang Chin Tat (David)
: Adrian Ong Ching Woo
: Lim Soon Teng
Appointed CC members : Sdr. Edward A/L Tharmaraj
: Sdr. Jordan Tiew Hock Huat
: Sdr. See Tean Seng
Observers : Sdr. Kuhan A/L Arasatnam
: Sdr. Teoh Chin Wan
