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Personal agendas could weaken Gerakan, says Lau
4 hours ago
Kirthana Arumugam
Gerakan president says leaders pursuing personal interests risk exposing the party to attacks at a crucial time
Gerakan president Dominic Lau said the party must be united, from the grassroots to the leadership, to gain public support and votes.
KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan president Dominic Lau has warned party leaders against pursuing personal agendas, saying such actions could weaken the party and benefit its opponents.
Lau said individuals who raised issues for their own interests could expose the party to attacks at a crucial time.
“There are certain individuals with personal agendas who are raising these issues. If we prioritise personal agendas, we are simply giving our opponents bullets to shoot us.
“If you want Gerakan to die and become irrelevant, then continue,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the party’s 58th anniversary celebration here today.
Lau said his remarks were prompted by criticism over the postponement of the party’s internal elections, adding that the move was constitutional and with precedent.
“If we do not obtain a mandate from the people, we are nobody at all. We understand that party elections are important, but the constitution clearly allows the central leadership to postpone them,” he said.
Lau also emphasised the need for Gerakan to reform its approach ahead of the upcoming polls, including the Johor and Melaka state elections, as well as a potential 16th general election.
“This 58th anniversary is very important for Gerakan. It is the right time for us to change. We cannot continue using old methods in our campaigns.
“Change is a must. If our grassroots and leaders at all levels are not united, it will be very difficult for us to gain the support and votes of the people,” he added.
On candidate selection, Lau said winnability takes priority over ethnic considerations, reaffirming the party’s non-ethnic approach.
Preparations within Perikatan Nasional for the upcoming elections were already underway, including discussions on seat allocations among component parties, he added.
Regarding party elections, Lau indicated that these might be held several months after the general election.
Lau said individuals who raised issues for their own interests could expose the party to attacks at a crucial time.
“There are certain individuals with personal agendas who are raising these issues. If we prioritise personal agendas, we are simply giving our opponents bullets to shoot us.
“If you want Gerakan to die and become irrelevant, then continue,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the party’s 58th anniversary celebration here today.
Lau said his remarks were prompted by criticism over the postponement of the party’s internal elections, adding that the move was constitutional and with precedent.
“If we do not obtain a mandate from the people, we are nobody at all. We understand that party elections are important, but the constitution clearly allows the central leadership to postpone them,” he said.
Lau also emphasised the need for Gerakan to reform its approach ahead of the upcoming polls, including the Johor and Melaka state elections, as well as a potential 16th general election.
“This 58th anniversary is very important for Gerakan. It is the right time for us to change. We cannot continue using old methods in our campaigns.
“Change is a must. If our grassroots and leaders at all levels are not united, it will be very difficult for us to gain the support and votes of the people,” he added.
On candidate selection, Lau said winnability takes priority over ethnic considerations, reaffirming the party’s non-ethnic approach.
Preparations within Perikatan Nasional for the upcoming elections were already underway, including discussions on seat allocations among component parties, he added.
Regarding party elections, Lau indicated that these might be held several months after the general election.
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