Anyone fancy KJ signing up with Gerakan and becoming Penang’s potential Chief Minister?
By Murray Hunter
KHAIRY Jamaluddin or KJ as he is known has been talking to suitors over his political future. PKR and DAP are not suitable due to the personalities involved.
Bersatu wants KJ to contest in Negri Sembilan in the upcoming state elections while KJ would prefer Selangor. There is even talk he will form a new political party with his old colleague, former prime minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
However, according to sources inside Gerakan, KJ is being discussed by some of the party’s leadership to take on the role of a Chief Minister candidate in the coming Penang state election. Furthermore, the Gerakan leadership also talked about fast-tracking Khairy to party presidency with the party’s national congress coming up on June 18.
Current president Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai has expressed some willingness to step aside for him. Lau himself has just announced that Gerakan would contest around 30 seats in Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Negeri Selangor.
Judging from Gerakan’s electoral performance in the last general election, many believe most of its candidates will lose their deposits. Lau has said that Gerakan’s main objective is to help Perikatan Nasional (PN) secure victory in the state polls.
Asset to Gerakan
Henceforth, the Gerakan leadership has been warming to the idea that KJ would be a potential asset to revive the party’s ailing fortunes. Without him, Gerakan’s prognosis for any electoral success would be next to nothing.
KHAIRY Jamaluddin or KJ as he is known has been talking to suitors over his political future. PKR and DAP are not suitable due to the personalities involved.
Bersatu wants KJ to contest in Negri Sembilan in the upcoming state elections while KJ would prefer Selangor. There is even talk he will form a new political party with his old colleague, former prime minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
However, according to sources inside Gerakan, KJ is being discussed by some of the party’s leadership to take on the role of a Chief Minister candidate in the coming Penang state election. Furthermore, the Gerakan leadership also talked about fast-tracking Khairy to party presidency with the party’s national congress coming up on June 18.
Current president Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai has expressed some willingness to step aside for him. Lau himself has just announced that Gerakan would contest around 30 seats in Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Negeri Selangor.
Judging from Gerakan’s electoral performance in the last general election, many believe most of its candidates will lose their deposits. Lau has said that Gerakan’s main objective is to help Perikatan Nasional (PN) secure victory in the state polls.
Asset to Gerakan
Henceforth, the Gerakan leadership has been warming to the idea that KJ would be a potential asset to revive the party’s ailing fortunes. Without him, Gerakan’s prognosis for any electoral success would be next to nothing.
Khairy Jamaluddin
Gerakan has long lost its reputation for being a grassroots action party and has been electorally shunned by what was once their traditional supporter bases in Penang and Perak.
Many are displeased in the “unholy alliance” Gerakan has entered into with PN. If Gerakan is to survive and become relevant once again in politics, the party must merge its reform image, develop a more multi-racial image and project itself as the moderator within the PN coalition.
That’s not a dissimilar position the MCA played in the days Barisan Nasional (BN) was at its height. Alternatively, Gerakan could break free from PN and rebuild itself from the bottom once again.
Many in Gerakan believe this is a reason to introduce new blood into the party. There are not too many people who could perform that role. KJ is one who could excel in this.
KJ could change the face of Gerakan by shifting the perception of Gerakan being a Chinese-based party to one which is multi-racial. This in itself would broaden the appeal base for Gerakan which could potentially be competitive in mixed race electorates.
If KJ took up the offer, there would be a number of challenges ahead for him. The first would be the coming Penang state election which is “do or die” for Gerakan. There is little doubt the DAP-led “unity alliance” in Penang will emerge the overall winner.
However, if PN can win between six and 14 seats with Gerakan leading the way, the party could be saved.
The likeliest seat for KJ would be Seberang Jaya, a Malay-majority seat on the mainland which is currently held by PKR. If Khairy could win the seat under the Gerakan banner, it could change the fortunes of the party.
Frankly, without Khairy, Gerakan’s prognosis for any electoral success would be next to nothing. Khairy would be able to draw attention towards Gerakan – one that the party couldn’t get anywhere else.
Gerakan has long lost its reputation for being a grassroots action party and has been electorally shunned by what was once their traditional supporter bases in Penang and Perak.
Many are displeased in the “unholy alliance” Gerakan has entered into with PN. If Gerakan is to survive and become relevant once again in politics, the party must merge its reform image, develop a more multi-racial image and project itself as the moderator within the PN coalition.
That’s not a dissimilar position the MCA played in the days Barisan Nasional (BN) was at its height. Alternatively, Gerakan could break free from PN and rebuild itself from the bottom once again.
Many in Gerakan believe this is a reason to introduce new blood into the party. There are not too many people who could perform that role. KJ is one who could excel in this.
KJ could change the face of Gerakan by shifting the perception of Gerakan being a Chinese-based party to one which is multi-racial. This in itself would broaden the appeal base for Gerakan which could potentially be competitive in mixed race electorates.
If KJ took up the offer, there would be a number of challenges ahead for him. The first would be the coming Penang state election which is “do or die” for Gerakan. There is little doubt the DAP-led “unity alliance” in Penang will emerge the overall winner.
However, if PN can win between six and 14 seats with Gerakan leading the way, the party could be saved.
The likeliest seat for KJ would be Seberang Jaya, a Malay-majority seat on the mainland which is currently held by PKR. If Khairy could win the seat under the Gerakan banner, it could change the fortunes of the party.
Frankly, without Khairy, Gerakan’s prognosis for any electoral success would be next to nothing. Khairy would be able to draw attention towards Gerakan – one that the party couldn’t get anywhere else.
Murray Hunter
This would put Khairy and Gerakan in a good position for the 16rh General Election (GE16) where PN will be competitive and has a probability of winning the government.
If PN did win government, Khairy would no doubt become a senior minister. This is a tough scenario, very difficult to achieve.
However, such a challenge would suit KJ well. He would inherit and carry the Gerakan brand and lead the party to a new chapter. The Gerakan leadership would invest in personality politics by putting a “celebrity” in the front.
They hope KJ would go beyond being just a personality and deliver the substance for the party. This would create a hybrid-Gerakan relevant to the political scenario today.
However, all involved must learn the lesson from MUDA. A high-profile personality without any substance and policy is a recipe for electoral disaster.
Gerakan must take that risk or perish. For KJ, it would be crash through or crash. He can handle that type of politics as well as the best of them.
The Gerakan offer may be much more appealing than any Bersatu offer or setting up a new party himself. The Gerakan scenario requires the determination Khairy has shown he has got.
If he can do it, then Gerakan could become a third multi-racial force with parliamentary representation. KJ knows both the Bersatu and PAS leadership. He has worked before with them.
Many may consider voting for Gerakan in future elections just because they are a potential force of moderation. It will be interesting to see if KJ takes up the challenge. – May 30, 2023
Murray Hunter has been involved in Asia-Pacific business for the last 40 years as an entrepreneur, consultant, academic and researcher. He was an associate professor at Universiti Malaysia Perlis. This opinion editorial first appeared in Sin Chew Daily (English version) under the headline “Should KJ sign up with Gerakan?”
This would put Khairy and Gerakan in a good position for the 16rh General Election (GE16) where PN will be competitive and has a probability of winning the government.
If PN did win government, Khairy would no doubt become a senior minister. This is a tough scenario, very difficult to achieve.
However, such a challenge would suit KJ well. He would inherit and carry the Gerakan brand and lead the party to a new chapter. The Gerakan leadership would invest in personality politics by putting a “celebrity” in the front.
They hope KJ would go beyond being just a personality and deliver the substance for the party. This would create a hybrid-Gerakan relevant to the political scenario today.
However, all involved must learn the lesson from MUDA. A high-profile personality without any substance and policy is a recipe for electoral disaster.
Gerakan must take that risk or perish. For KJ, it would be crash through or crash. He can handle that type of politics as well as the best of them.
The Gerakan offer may be much more appealing than any Bersatu offer or setting up a new party himself. The Gerakan scenario requires the determination Khairy has shown he has got.
If he can do it, then Gerakan could become a third multi-racial force with parliamentary representation. KJ knows both the Bersatu and PAS leadership. He has worked before with them.
Many may consider voting for Gerakan in future elections just because they are a potential force of moderation. It will be interesting to see if KJ takes up the challenge. – May 30, 2023
Murray Hunter has been involved in Asia-Pacific business for the last 40 years as an entrepreneur, consultant, academic and researcher. He was an associate professor at Universiti Malaysia Perlis. This opinion editorial first appeared in Sin Chew Daily (English version) under the headline “Should KJ sign up with Gerakan?”
Phew....I must admit it is a tough choice between KJ , if he is so, as Chief Minister candidate for Penang and Chow Kon Yeow.
ReplyDeleteYeow is just too passive and colourless, KJ would give him a good run for it.