Gerakan should remain part of a larger political coalition instead of being positioned as a third force, says its president Dominic Lau.
He said being a third force was a “sure way of losing” in the elections, based on past experiences.
Lau was responding to Penang Gerakan Youth chief Tan Zhen Zune who had asked for the party to position itself as a third force.
Earlier today, Tan said Gerakan showed potential by being able to garner over 1,700 votes in the Tanjung Piai by-election in November 2019, when up against the incumbent Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.
However, Lau gave the example of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who lost his deposit when he contested under the Pejuang ticket in the last general election (GE15) in November 2022.
He said Pejuang had positioned themselves as a third force but failed to win any seat.
“I, too, want to be a third force, but it will result in us losing. Do you want to be like Pejuang? They wanted to be a third force. See where are they now? Today, they are trying to enter Perikatan Nasional,” he said in opening the Penang Gerakan AGM here.
Lau also assured that non-Muslims’ freedoms will not be encroached by PAS, and he has personally told his counterpart Abdul Hadi Awang about it.
He said some Gerakan leaders and members did not believe that he spoke to Hadi about this issue.
But Lau said he would personally bring Hadi to Penang to hold a dialogue with state Gerakan members, and they were free to confirm with the PAS president himself.
Separately, Lau reminded members not to undermine the party by backstabbing it, saying internal quarrels only weakened Gerakan when its real opponents were outside.
He said criticism was acceptable but urged members to avoid public attacks on leaders.
“If you don’t agree with my views, that’s fine. I can explain why I hold a certain position. But don’t attack openly. Our enemy is not inside the party, our enemy is DAP and the Madani government,” he said.
Later, in a press conference, Lau said the reminder on quarrels also extends to parties within PN.
When asked about the apparent Chinese voter apathy ahead of the next general elections, Lau said ideally, all should come out to vote as it was their civic duty.
“But if you don’t vote, good for PN. But still, better for you to come out to vote,” he said.
