We won’t hesitate to quit PN, says Gerakan deputy president

Gerakan’s deputy president said today the party will not hesitate to quit Perikatan Nasional if its coalition allies continue to display “religious extremism” and infringe on the rights of non-Muslims in a controversy over funds for Chinese schools.

(FMT) – Oh Tong Keong said Gerakan remains firm in its support and defence of fundraising efforts for Chinese schools despite “unreasonable threats” from its allies in the coalition.

His comments come in the wake of a controversy over fundraising for Chinese-medium schools, sparked by criticism from PAS over a deputy minister accepting a RM3 million mock cheque bearing a Tiger Beer logo at a fundraising event.

Oh said in a statement: “Just as Gerakan had once withdrawn from Barisan Nasional to oppose corruption and abuse of power, we would not hesitate to exit (PN) if our allies continue to exhibit religious extremism and infringe on the rights of non-Muslims.”

Earlier today, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, said his party might not be able to work with Gerakan at the next general election if Gerakan maintains its position on alcohol companies and Chinese schools.

He said Gerakan’s stance on the matter was disappointing.

Yesterday, Gerakan president Dominic Lau said the education ministry should not restrict fundraising activities by certain companies in schools if the government does not allocate sufficient funds to all streams of schools.

Lau said the government should understand and not hinder the long-standing tradition of fundraising activities at Chinese schools.