GEORGE TOWN – Gerakan remains unfazed by the Malaysian Indian People’s Party’s (MIPP) bid for leadership in Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN), as the young party lacks the credentials and grassroots support needed to lead the coalition, according to party insiders.
Bukit Gelugor Gerakan division chief Andrew Ooi told Scoop that Gerakan is well-established in the state, having led Penang for nearly four decades and maintaining a grassroots presence—unlike MIPP, which is virtually absent in the state.
Ooi questioned MIPP’s organisational presence in Penang, asking how many branches it has and whether they are actively manned.
“We would like to ask them to get a mirror and look at themselves. Who are they to say they want to lead PN in Penang?
“I’m sorry to say this, but they are just some katak (frogs) from other parties who came over (to Penang) and now want to take charge of PN here,” he said.
Ooi also questioned the party’s contributions to the state and its role within the Penang chapter of the PN coalition.
Echoing Ooi’s sentiments, another Gerakan leader stressed that MIPP should first focus on establishing itself in the state and winning seats before demanding leadership roles.
The insider, who requested anonymity, said MIPP should prioritise groundwork and speaking up on pressing issues affecting the public.
“They need to learn how to crawl and walk before they can run,” the insider told Scoop when contacted.
“If you cannot establish your own grassroots and organisation in Penang, don’t let others sweet-talk you into disrupting the spirit of (Penang) PN.”
The insider also urged PN to abandon the “syok sendiri” (self-absorbed) attitude and let the coalition’s central leadership handle the matter amicably.
“We need to put an end to internal squabbles. There’s no point in arguing about this when our real focus should be on addressing public concerns in Penang,” he added.
Meanwhile, a PN insider, who also requested anonymity, likened MIPP to “a clubhouse” lacking grassroots support during elections.
The trio’s comments come amidst an ongoing row within PN between Gerakan and MIPP over which party should lead the coalition in Penang. Reports suggest PN is targeting Malay and Indian voters to secure a slim majority in the next state election.
MIPP president P. Punithan reportedly said his party was open to discussions about assuming a leadership role in Penang for PN. However, Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau dismissed MIPP’s ambitions, citing Gerakan’s four-decade-long contributions to the state and reiterating the party’s strong establishment in Penang.
Penang PAS has responded to the dispute by urging component parties to focus on strengthening and preparing PN for the next elections.
Additionally, Penang PAS commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff and Penang PAS information chief Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan stated that while PAS could be considered the coalition leader in Penang due to the number of seats it holds, they preferred for PN’s central leadership to make the final decision.
Asked whether PAS should lead Penang PN, Ooi and the Gerakan insider echoed PAS leaders, saying the matter should be left to the central leadership, as coalition chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is responsible for appointing state chapter chiefs.
Meanwhile, the PN insider claimed PAS is not interested in leading the coalition in Penang and has conveyed this position to PN’s top brass during a central committee meeting at the end of last year.
Wooing Penangites for their support
Andrew further defended his party’s right to lead the coalition, citing Gerakan’s advocacy on numerous issues affecting Penangites and its efforts to assist those in need through the public complaints bureau, which he leads.
He also highlighted the party’s efforts to regain support from Penangites – particularly the Chinese community – who, he claimed, have grown disillusioned with the government’s broken promises and are beginning to see Gerakan as a viable alternative.
“I can say that we can win a few seats based on feedback from the people – maybe around three to four seats. That is our confidence,” he added.
Gerakan is expected to help PN in wooing the Chinese electorate. However, the PN insider disagreed with this being Gerakan’s sole role, stressing that the party should reach out to all races.
“Gerakan should not be seen as a Chinese party because it was never meant to be one. Unfortunately, due to circumstances, Gerakan became a so-called Chinese party in the 1980s when Chinese educationists joined,” said the insider.
Meanwhile, the Gerakan insider argued that the effort to woo non-Malay voters in Penang should be a collective effort by all PN component parties, not just Gerakan.
The unnamed insiders also backed the party’s ambition to shift Malaysia’s political narrative away from race and religion by focusing on universal concerns such as the economy, education, healthcare, good governance, cultural harmony, digital transformation, security and peace, youth empowerment, and employment – a strategy aimed at winning over Penangites. – February 7, 2025.