No basis for MIPP to lead
PN in Penang, says
Gerakan chief
Dominic Lau rubbishes suggestion by the Malaysian Indian Progressive Party, says Gerakan has experience in leading the state for almost four decades.
Lau questioned the basis for the new party to take charge of PN in Penang.
“What is their basis in wanting to take over the lead in Penang? We (Gerakan) have been in Penang for a long time.
“Gerakan has been around for 58 years, and the post of Penang chief minister was held by the party for 39 years. So, we have a strong foundation there,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the party’s Chinese New Year open house at Menara PGRM here today.
Lim Chong Eu and Koh Tsu Koon, both former Gerakan presidents, held the Penang chief minister’s post from 1969 to 1990, and 1990 to 2008, respectively.
Lau also said that any talk of MIPP leading the coalition’s machinery was unlikely to materialise because “Gerakan is already here (in Penang)”.
On Sunday, MIPP president P Punithan said his party is open to discussions about assuming a leadership role in the Penang chapter following a report that the coalition plans to focus on Malay and Indian voters to secure a slim majority in the next state elections.
FMT had previously quoted a source as saying that PN acknowledges the struggle to capture Chinese voters in Penang, as its component Gerakan has struggled to gain their support in recent elections.
On the other hand, the source said the opposition coalition had noted a discernible shift in support among Penang’s Indian community, particularly at the Sungai Bakap by-election in July 2024.
However, Bersatu associate wing vice-chief R Sri Sanjeevan said that the decision on which component party should lead Penang must be left to the coalition’s leadership.
He stressed that PN makes decisions collectively and that it was not appropriate for any single party to claim leadership.
On a separate note, Lau said that Gerakan intends to contest two seats in the upcoming Sabah state elections and has identified potential candidates.
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MIPP insists it should lead
PN in Penang, says there’s
‘no turning back’
MIPP president P Punithan says his party appreciates Gerakan’s legacy in leading Penang but will not be tied down by it.
MIPP president P Punithan has hit back at Gerakan chief Dominic Lau, who earlier today dismissed the notion that MIPP could lead PN’s campaign in the state.
“There is no turning back … Our ultimate aim is to win Penang for PN,” Punithan said in a statement.
He agreed that Gerakan had played a major role in shaping Penang but said times had changed.
Lim Chong Eu and Koh Tsu Koon, both former Gerakan presidents, held the Penang chief minister’s post from 1969 to 1990, and from 1990 to 2008, respectively.
“We do not deny the contributions of Gerakan in building Penang to where it is today. The fundamentals of modern Penang were historically built by Gerakan’s former leaders,” said Punithan.
“However, the scenario today is totally different.
“We appreciate Gerakan’s legacy, but we will not be tied down by it.”
He said that a strategy focussed on Malay and Indian voters was the most viable path to victory at the state polls as Chinese voters would continue to support the ruling DAP.
Noting that Malaysian Indians had strong historical connections with Penang, he said MIPP could present a strategy to take over the state.
At a Chinese New Year gathering today, Lau questioned the basis for MIPP to lead PN in Penang, stating that Gerakan was more experienced as it had previously governed the state.
Lau said any talk of MIPP leading the coalition’s machinery was unlikely to materialise as “Gerakan is already here (in Penang)”.
On Sunday, Punithan said his party was open to discussions about assuming a leadership role in the Penang PN chapter following a report that PN planned to focus on Malay and Indian voters to secure a slim majority at the next state election.
FMT had previously quoted a source as saying that PN acknowledged the difficulty in capturing Chinese votes in Penang as its component Gerakan had struggled in its attempt to gain their support in recent elections.
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