Gerakan leader blames extreme views for losses
A Gerakan leader has attributed the party’s heavy losses in the state elections to statements made by certain coalition leaders during the campaign period.
(MSN News) – “The people here were apprehensive of the extreme views of certain party leaders in the coalition.
“We failed to address this satisfactorily, causing the votes to sway to Pakatan Harapan,” said Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong.
The Perikatan Nasional component party suffered another wipeout in the state election for the fourth consecutive term, losing all 19 seats it contested.
Gerakan is part of the coalition that also comprises PAS and Bersatu.
Oh, who is also Penang Gerakan chief, lost for the second time in the Pantai Jerejak state seat.
Pakatan’s Fahmi Zainol triumphed in a four-cornered fight, polling 14,116 votes against Oh’s 5,519 votes.
Two others – Muda’s Priyankaa Loh (472 votes) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Ravinder Singh (76 votes) – lost their deposits.
Oh said the party was considering fielding younger candidates in the next election to attract young voters.
“Gerakan is a multiracial party and we need to look into our roots to rejuvenate the party. I am taking the loss in stride because the future leaders of the party are more important and we should nurture them,” he said.
