KUALA LUMPUR – Party members and supporters should cast off the “traditional seat” mentality when it comes to elections, said Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau.
He added that there is a lesson to be learnt during the recent Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, which puts an end to assumptions about “traditional seats”.
“Say no more to traditional seats. If we want to compete in a by-election or general election representing Perikatan Nasional (PN), we must show PN leaders that we can win.
“Don’t think ‘this is a Gerakan seat’ or ‘this can only be contested by the Gerakan’. That mentality needs to be changed,” he said in his speech last night at the party’s 56th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Menara PGRM, Cheras here.
Lau said party grassroots must demonstrate their capacity at the next PN meeting where the leadership will decide who will run for the Sg Bakap by-election.
Meanwhile, Gerakan must maintain its organisational structure and capability to prove it can win elections.
“If the party is contesting in elections, then it must win. Otherwise, it is better not to contest.”
He added that maintaining the party’s quality is more important than its membership size, which is much smaller than other political parties.
“Don’t focus on quantity, but quality. That comes from the candidates’ abilities, strategy, and organising capabilities, as well as the members’. Only with these qualities, we could win the next state or general election.”
Sg Bakap is heading for a by-election soon after its assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS died yesterday after being in intensive care since May 1.
The Penang state seat was traditionally held by Gerakan for nine terms, between 1971 and 2004. However, it switched hands when Barisan Nasional-Umno won in 2004, and PKR in 2008, 2013 and 2018. – May 26, 2024