Gerakan Should Return To Its Original Path

GERAKAN SHOULD RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL PATH

The call by the 250,000 members of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia for the BN to form a multiracial party have fallen and shall continue to fall on deaf ears.

The constitution of UMNO, the dominant party in the coalition expressly provides that only Malays can join the party. Similarly, MCA’s constitution only allows Chinese to join the party. The dominant parties in the BN depend on maintaining the tension amongst the races to justify their existence. Despite their rhetoric, they will never agree to the formation of a multiracial party.

As for Gerakan, it has not been able to attract members from the other races and despite calling themselves a multiracial party, it is predominantly a Chinese based party. Parti Keadilan Rakyat on the other hand is truly a multiracial party. The racial make up of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans and others are reflected from the grassroots up to the Supreme Council. It is time for members of Gerakan to take stock of the situation.

They need to work with the other races to be a truly multiracial party. History has shown that UMNO, MCA, MIC and the BN will not change their communal approach to politics. The leaders that established Gerakan, such as Tun Lim Chong Yew left MCA and the Alliance because of their communal politics. They should not have rejoined the Barisan Nasional in 1972. After 35 years, Gerakan has not achieved any significant success in achieving a truly multiracial and racially integrated nation. It is unlikely that given another 35 years, Gerakan can make any progress in this direction, if it is to remain in the BN.

UMNO shall always be the dominant party in the BN. Although Gerakan is on paper a multiracial party, it is seen as representing Chinese interest. However, it will always be playing second fiddle to the MCA in this aspect. It is time for the members of Gerakan who are sincere to see an integrated multiracial country, stop being satisfied in playing the role of a second wife. It is with sincerity that we call on Gerakan and its members to join PKR in the struggle for a truly multiracial and racially integrated nation.

12 October 2007

William J K Leong
Treasurer General
Parti Keadilan Rakyat