A GERAKAN leader has attributed the party’s heavy losses in the state elections to statements made by certain coalition leaders during the campaign period.
“The people here were apprehensive of the extreme views of certain party leaders in the coalition.
“We failed to address this satisfactorily, causing the votes to sway to Pakatan Harapan,” said Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong.
The Perikatan Nasional component party suffered another wipeout in the state election for the fourth consecutive term, losing all 19 seats it contested.
Gerakan is part of the coalition that also comprises PAS and Bersatu.
Oh, who is also Penang Gerakan chief, lost for the second time in the Pantai Jerejak state seat.
Lau lost to Pakatan’s Azrul in Bayan Lepas.
Pakatan’s Fahmi Zainol triumphed in a four-cornered fight, polling 14,116 votes against Oh’s 5,519 votes.
Two others – Muda’s Priyankaa Loh (472 votes) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Ravinder Singh (76 votes) – lost their deposits.
Oh said the party was considering fielding younger candidates in the next election to attract young voters.
“Gerakan is a multiracial party and we need to look into our roots to rejuvenate the party. I am taking the loss in stride because the future leaders of the party are more important and we should nurture them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, who lost in Bayan Lepas to Pakatan’s Azrul Mahathir Aziz, has dispelled talk that the party was irrelevant.
He said the party was now focusing on the 16th General Election, even though it is four years away.
Marshel to continue serving Perai folk despite losing the seat.
Lau, who polled 13,573 votes, lost the fight for Bayan Lepas to Azrul by a majority of 1,889 votes.
“We did have a good showing, especially in Bayan Lepas, where we came close to winning. We will focus on winning the people’s support in the next four years to ensure we are better prepared for the next General Election,” he added.
Independent candidate David Marshel, who was in a four-cornered fight for the Perai seat, described his loss as a learning curve.
He garnered 1,439 votes to Pakatan’s Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo’s 10,671 votes.
“I consider it an admirable feat as I did not have any financial or manpower resources or anyone backing me, but managed to get over a thousand votes.
Independent candidate Satees to focus on community work.
“I am not disheartened by my loss and will continue to serve the people of Perai through my non-governmental organisation (NGO),” said the former 10-term DAP councillor who had resigned from the party recently.
Marshel added that he would continue highlighting issues faced by the locals in Perai.
Echoing his views were former Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy, who lost the seat when he polled 1,111 votes compared to Pakatan’s K. Kumaran who garnered 10,506 votes.
He said he would take a short break before joining forces with Marshel to continue carrying out their community work.
“It is better to work through an NGO without any party affiliation as we can question anyone without fear or favour.”
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
