In The Sun, Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon yesterday blamed the “arrogance of power” of certain Umno leaders for the party’s defeat in the general election.
Another delegate, former Gerakan Women's Chairperson Kee Phaik Cheen who spoke at the closed door session put it succintly, "Stop pointing fingers at others."
Speaking from my own experience, Gerakan leaders should shoulder the blame for being both timid and subservient to UMNO's hegemony. It is not a secret that the leaders believed they stand to gain more by being on UMNO's good book than acting otherwise like speaking up against the gross political indecency of certain UMNO leaders.
In fact, my relationship with Gerakan's main leaders went sour because of my constant criticism of UMNO. Hence, having to listen to one after another speeches of putting the blame squarely on UMNO is both hilarious and disappointing to me.
On a number of occasions, Dr Koh had warned me against speaking up and posting my views on Malaysiakini.com. He did the same to Paranjothy, a youth leader, who vented his frustrations against UMNO after the Hindraf demonstration. He even suggested to a director at another policy institute to take me in so that I can leave Sedar Institute.
I am not washing his dirty linen here but from his statement yesterday, it proved that Dr Koh still missed the most crucial point in reforming his party. He should have shown more leadership in owning up to his lack of courage and political direction as the main cause of defeat than putting the blame solely on UMNO.
Penang's BN suffered the worst defeat among the four states captured by the opposition, garnering less than 38% of popular votes. Surely, Dr Koh must be responsible for the outcome. From the chief ministership issue to poor political campaign strategy, he was the main driver.
Yet, at yesterday's dialogue, the acting president of Gerakan distributed copies of a news report on PKR President Wan Azizah who praised him as an examplary leader who conceded defeat gentlemanly. In a democratic process, this is expected of all defeated politicians.
Koh said Gerakan would like to play a role of reformer in the BN but has to reform itself first.
Can it become a reformer and can it be reformed? Your guess is as good as mine.
14 comments:
Gavin,
It is no secret that Dr Koh can not and does not take constructive criticism that are not to his liking.
He is a good civil servant material, excellent in following orders but he definately not the material to lead a party which share the common ideology like DAP to revival.
It is also no secret that you are the notty boy in eyes of Chin Fook Weng, for your outspokeness and articles in Malaysiakini.com
The ship is sinking before March 8, it is taking in more water after that.
You know who you are, you fight for a cause where alot of Malaysians wish for.
Why stay in a vessel which is captained by a blur sotong ?
Why not come home to the island and help the current state administration to turn Penang into a better place to stay now that Penang UMNO is de-fanged ?
LangChiaPek
langchiapek@gmail.com
Kayveas may said with a grin that he can predict the future - Gerakan whether they like it or not may need to merge with PPP.
Welcome Gerakan to the PPP arena. Both share the same path of a dim future.
There is an old saying - it is not how many times a person fall but how fast he can get up. Without an aggressive plan in place, they will not be able to get up.
Happy Retirement to all of them. Perhaps, their young members should start to form another party to compete in the next GE for a better chance.
well said.
it is too late for gerakan to blame now. that is the problem of not standing up for what is right.
Gerakan is giving too much credit to itself. Things have not changed, the chineses voted DAP or opposition instead of Gerakan and Indians just voted opposition even if you put elephant there( Indins like elephant, no?)Malays votes were split between UMNO and PAS/PKR but vote Malay in any case. So racism is alive and well across all race. P.s you too, and so am I
Kay Peng,
In my earlier question to you regarding your relationship with Gerakan, you said that all was well, however in your latest post you mentioned the following:
"In fact, my relationship with Gerakan's main leaders went sour because of my constant criticism of UMNO..."
Of course the above is in relation to the main leaders, but doesn't this in general would come to represent Gerakan?
"Chotto hen ne" (A bit strange)
Koh can come to live in Australia if he has money. Othwerwise he has wasted his time and that of the people of Penang all these years. No money, no migration for Koh. He knows he will never be able to return to politics in Penang.
anon 8.51am,
Kay Peng mentioned that his relationship is well with Gerakan, the Party. This does may not imply that he fully agrees with everything the top leaders does or say. He still has his right of freedom to his thoughts, ideas or opinions just like the leaders has to their own.
Dear Mr Khoo,
I have followed your blog for some time and have been impressed with your impartial and independent views on politics in Malaysia, more precise on Gerakan and Penang.
I have lived on that beautiful island - Penang for more than twenty over years. Imho, Gerakan (or should I say BN) has done more damages than good for the state (economics, traffic, tourism and what not). The state is abused and raped to the utmost extent by the previous ruling parties. They did not give a hoot to what the rakyat need nor what is good for the state. It was all about self-interest. Being able to obtain personal wealth by abusing the power they had.
I decided to uproot my whole family and left the beautiful island and start a whole new life in NZ. It was a sad and difficult decision but nevertheless a very good one (at that time).
A new horizon is daunting upon Penang, (not to impose on you) maybe you should consider contributing in whatever way you can for Penang/Malaysia to make it a better place for everyone and maybe I will go back to the paradise I used to know when my family is longer dependant on my contribution.
Good luck to you.
Ben
Kay Peng,
Admire your courage. Keep it up. At least your sharing shed light into why you leave Sedar.
Just stay on in Austrlia, and get bushewacked by the white men there. Things havent changed in Malaysia - chinese will go to china school, eat the same pork food and cut tees like nobody's business and bribe every tom ,dick or harry. Next election they will get dumped for good by the malays when the latter realise the dap are even more corrupted and racist. so stay on there in the whiteman country.
Dear Anon 12:11am,
From your tone, probably you will not be welcomed even in hardline Iran.
I know who you are from your racist views. Next time, I will dump your post to where it belonged - the waste bin.
Wake up!
I'm sorry that truth and reality hurts. I am no racists but I accept there are races in this world with differing aspirations. My advise to these migrants is fair comments - I have been to Australia, have many friends there and they too have views of the new migrants especially the asiatic ones which they dont readily hold in high regard. For that matter where in the world are migrants respected, especially when they challenge the majority and try to deprive the rights of the majority. Anyway I must commend your bravery in listening out alternative views :-)
If you are living in the peninsula Malaysia, I hope you can accept the reality too that you are no longer the majority.
Yes, truth hurts but you are not feeling the pain yet. I wonder why?
Probably Saudi Arabia, Indonesia or Pakistan will want him.
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