Before state polls, Lau must overcome challenge for Gerakan No 1

Before state polls, Lau must overcome challenge for Gerakan No 1


Before facing the upcoming elections in six states, Gerakan will first have to undergo an important leadership election which will see its incumbent president Dominic Lau being challenged.

The results of this election will likely have far-reaching consequences on how the party approaches the state elections.

Nominations will take place on July 8 and voting will be held a week later. This means the new leadership will only have weeks to prepare for the state polls.

Gerakan’s leadership elections were originally scheduled for November 2021. Under the party’s rules, it must now be held within eight months after the last general election.

Malaysiakini understood that the Gerakan leadership initially anticipated state elections to be held in April or May this year.

When it was clear that the state polls were going to be held later, Gerakan’s central delegates conference passed a resolution on March 26 requesting another postponement of the party election.

Sources told Malaysiakini that the request was relayed to the Registrar of Societies but was unsuccessful, hence the party’s leadership election must be held no later than July 18.


The challengers

Dominic (above) will be seeking a second term in the party president’s post that he won in 2018. At the time, his opponent was Andy Yong, who has since retired from the party.

It is understood there are three potential challengers - Federal Territories Gerakan head Lau Hoi Keong, Malacca Gerakan chief Michael Gan, and Simpang Renggam division chief Liang Teck Meng.

(From left to right) Michael Gan, Dominic Lau, Lau Hoi Keong, and Liang Teck Meng


When contacted by Malaysiakini, Liang confirmed he will be running for the party presidency.

Liang, a former Gerakan secretary-general and two-term Simpang Renggam MP, said his campaign theme will be “dignity and conscience”.

He refused to confirm if he was forming a team with any of the potential challengers.

“There will definitely be a team. I can’t say much for now,” he said.

Hoi Keong told Sin Chew Daily in a recent interview that he was keen on running for the party presidency and was seeking advice from the grassroots and leaders.

“I will make an announcement soon. I will introduce my team. We will offer a different plan that can adapt to the ever-changing political situation of today,” said Hoi Keong.

Gan did not respond to Malaysiakini’s request for comments.


‘Anything but Dominic’

Since Dominic became Gerakan president in November 2018, the party has gone from supporting Pakatan Harapan to eventually joining Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Dominic’s tenure also saw the party participating in the Tanjung Piai by-election, the 2021 Malacca election, the 2022 Johor election, and the 15th general election. In all those elections, Gerakan did not win a single seat.

Several Gerakan sources told Malaysiakini that this string of failures has generated discontent among party members but it is unclear if there is enough dissent to dislodge Dominic.

Sources who oppose Dominic conceded there was no clear single faction that can pose a legitimate threat to the incumbent. This was because Gerakan’s rank and file has been decimated over the past 15 years, five of which were under Dominic’s leadership.

“Look at our state-level party elections. Many positions were won uncontested because there are not many of us left. No one wants these jobs,” a source said.

Aside from Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, and Selangor, there were no contests for the Gerakan state chairperson’s position in other states when elections were held in June.

Sources told Malaysiakini that those who remain and are loyal to the party are upset with Dominic’s leadership, often citing a lack of direction, vision, and strategy.

“Where are we heading? What sort of Malaysia is Gerakan supposed to build with PN? If we don’t have answers, how are we going to canvass for votes?” a source said.

Sources said those who oppose Dominic are motivated to unite under the “Anything but Dominic” banner and would ensure the presidential contest will be a straight fight.


Staying the course

Sources supportive of Dominic told Malaysiakini it was unwise to change the party leadership now because of its negative effect on preparation for the state elections.

It is understood that the party’s central working committee, whose members are determined by the party president, will have the final say on the party’s candidate list.

Therefore, sources told Malaysiakini, if there was a change in president, then the candidates must change at the last minute as well.

Moreover, if a new president emerges after the July 15 party polls, there is a possibility that the new leadership will affect Gerakan’s relationship with PN.

Therefore, the fate of the 55-year-old party could very well rest on the outcome of the upcoming party elections.

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kt comments:

I suspect Gerakan join the PN coalition, believing or fearing it'll be marginalised in a DAP-dominated PH, as could be the case for MCA now. Nonetheless, PN has been a piss-poor choice for Gerakan - better to have gone it alone.