Gerakan We Have Multiracial Support Won T Be Labelled Chinese Party

---

 


Gerakan has reaffirmed its stance that support for the party transcends racial boundaries and is not based on any particular race or religion.
In a statement, party information chief Wendy Subramaniam alluded to reported speculations that its Perikatan Nasional partners are shifting their focus in Penang to Malay and Indian voters ahead of the next state election.
“Gerakan once governed Penang with the same (multiracial) narrative, and we will always operate within the framework of such diversity.
“Gerakan will also not bow to the propaganda of certain parties labelling us as a Chinese party,” Wendy (above) said.
Gerakan as then BN-component had led the Penang state government for 39 years between 1969 and 2008 before being replaced by DAP as part of Pakatan Rakyat and subsequently Pakatan Harapan.
In the 2023 state polls, Gerakan - through PN - fielded 19 candidates who all lost against BN or Harapan.
This was despite growing support for either PAS or Bersatu candidates who reduced Harapan’s two-third majority in the 14th general election with 11 out of 40 seats in the Penang state assembly.
On the level of support for Gerakan from Penang Chinese voters now, Wendy said, “There is a percentage that believes Gerakan has its own competence and consistently speaks up for the people of Penang.
“Look at the voting patterns in the Sungai Bakap state by-election, read the Chinese newspapers, and understand why there is a movement that views Gerakan’s politics as cleaner compared to DAP’s politics, which is engulfed by the flood of nepotistic politics,” she claimed.
Shift in support
Earlier today, Free Malaysia Today quoted a source saying PN has identified a discernible shift in support among Penang’s Indian community, particularly at the Sungai Bakap by-election in July 2024.
The source said PN also recognises the coalition’s struggle to capture Chinese votes in the state - as evidenced by its performance in GE15 and the 2023 state election, due to Gerakan’s failure to muster Chinese support.
ADSWendy, however, insisted that PAS and Bersatu understand Gerakan’s contributions in Penang and offer support for the party to continue leading the state machinery.
“Now, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) is in the arena with PN, and we hope for the same (support),” she added.
Separately, MIPP president SP Punithan said while a focus on Malay and Indian voters in Penang could be a viable strategy for PN, efforts should still be made to engage with Chinese voters.
MIPP president SP Punithan“MIPP is open to having talks with PN leadership regarding the matter.
“Traditionally, it is a Gerakan-led state, but we will discuss with all parties involved if there are any changes to be made. We are ready to take the lead in Penang,” he said in a statement.
“The matter is only appropriate to be discussed in the PN supreme council meeting and among component party presidents.
“PN’s priority is to win Penang first. We are committed to focus on that,” he stressed. - Mkini

---