KUALA LUMPUR, 12 Oct 2008: Gerakan will “in no way” join the opposition even if it pulls out of the Barisan Nasional (BN), Selangor Gerakan chief and central committee member A Kohilan Pillay said today.
He said Gerakan was looking at all possibilities, including becoming an independent entity, but stressed that the party would not join the Pakatan Rakyat.
Whatever decision the party leadership made, it must be acceptable to the grassroots, he said.
“This matter concerns our status and future and it will be dealt with in depth. We don’t want to become another SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) or MDP (Malaysian Democratic Party, a splinter of the DAP), where a crucial decision caused a split in the party,” he told reporters on the sidelines of Gerakan’s national delegates conference.
After suffering a massive defeat in the 8 March general election, several Gerakan members quit or defected to the opposition. This put tremendous pressure on the leadership to consider taking drastic action to revive the party.
Kohilan said the issue would not hamper the party’s efforts at revitalisation.
“Those who quit were disappointed as they could not fulfill their personal agenda in the party. But now, the ground sentiment in Gerakan is improving and I believe we are doing the right thing and heading in the right direction,” he said. — Bernama
