NEW FACES TO HELM GERAKAN
Party polls on Nov 17 will see 23 posts up for grabs
GERAKAN will see a set of new leaders helming the multiracial party when its National Gerakan Delegates’ Conference (NDC) takes place on Nov 17.
Its outgoing president, Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, said this included the posts for the party’s No. 1, No. 2, and eight vice-presidents, which were among 23 positions up for grabs at the NDC.
“I, as president, will not be contesting. The current deputy president, as well as senior vice-presidents, are not going to contest too,” he said.
On Sept 16, Mah announced that he would not defend his party president’s post.
This followed the 50-year-old party’s worst-ever performance in the 14th General Election, where it failed to win a single parliamentary or state seat.
Mah said this after opening the Perak Gerakan Delegates’ Conference at Excelsior Hotel here yesterday.
Present was Perak Gerakan chairman Datuk See Tean Seng.
“I have full confidence in the new faces and the party’s second line of leadership, who have the capabilities to lead the state and the country.
“I would like to stress that the party polls must be held in a healthy manner and the most important thing is that there should be no infighting,” Mah said.
A total of 300,000 Gerakan members will take part in the polls this year.
The former plantation industries and commodities minister said to strengthen the party, he had proposed limiting the Gerakan division leaders’ post to three terms, with each term for three years.
“I know there are many division chairmen who had been serving for 20 years.
“They are contributing to the party but I think in this new political climate, it is good to limit their term because it would allow everyone to play his role in the party.
“So these are the changes that we want to do to strengthen the organisation, especially in this six-month period.
“We are focusing on the party’s internal structure. We want to strengthen the party and touch base with our grassroots. That is our focus,” he said.