Gerakan lost its grip on Penang in 2008 after governing the state for almost four decades. The party then left BN after its disastrous showing in the 2018 polls to join PN. However, plans to contest GE15 using its own logo instead of PN's raises the question whether the poor image of coalition partner Pas among non-Malays had motivated the move. Penang Gerakan chairman Oh Tong Keong speaks to the New Straits Times on the issue.
QUESTION: You said you want to use your party's logo to for the 15th General Election (GE15). Why is this the case when Gerakan is part of Perikatan Nasional (PN), and PN is set to introduce a new logo for GE15?
Answer: This was a decision by the grassroots. Since last year, they have been saying that Gerakan is an established brand in Penang, so why not use the party's own logo?
But at that time, we (Gerakan) say we are part of PN, so we can't do that.
After our state annual general meeting (AGM) last Sunday (Sept 18), some branches and divisions passed a resolution for Penang Gerakan to use our own logo.
This is just like the Johor elections, where Pakatan Harapan component parties, such as DAP and PKR, had used their own logos.
We are still a part of PN.
Also, PN and Barisan Nasional's (BN) colours are hard to differentiate and could be confusing (to voters). Even during the Johor polls, some people had asked me what party is PN. Many still don't know.
Q: You say people still associate Gerakan with BN, despite having left in 2018. Does it mean that the party hasn't been going to the ground enough for people to know it?
A: Since we left BN in 2018, we have been doing a lot of charity work.
For example, we distributed food to the needy during the Movement Control Order (MCO) at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. People have also come to us for our help to write letters to government departments and agencies.
After we helped them, they told us not to worry as they would support us and the dacing (Barisan Nasional's logo of a balancing scale). We had to tell them that we're no longer with BN.
Even during the Johor election, many Malay voters were unaware that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had left BN and formed PN.
It is because of this that we want to use our own logo to let people know us better.
Q: There is talk that Gerakan is doing so to distance itself from Pas. Is that true?
A: Since joining PN, we had hoped to get Malay support in some constituencies. When we were in BN, we contested 13 (of the total 40) state seats.
Of the 13 seats, at least seven were mixed.
After we left BN, we took part in the Tanjung Piai by-election in 2019. At that time, many Chinese voters had assured us that they would support Gerakan, but at the end of the day, we garnered only 1,707 votes.
I think only 100 votes were from Malays, the rest came from Chinese voters. It was then we decided that a third force was not viable for Malaysia.
We worry that Pas sometimes talks about very sensitive issues that hurt the Chinese.
It says the Chinese cannot consume liquor, but our laws don't say that. The law just says that one can't drink and drive. Nowhere is it stated that the Chinese cannot drink alcoholic beverages.
That is why I hope that in the PN coalition, which consists Bersatu, Pas and Gerakan, we will not raise racial and sensitive issues involving the people.
It is because of that (Pas' insensitive statements) that we want to use our own logo.
Q: If Gerakan doesn't condone Pas' actions, how can it still be in the same coalition still? One cannot support one and not the other. Does Gerakan intend to go solo?
A: No (going solo is never an option). We work very hard to win the hearts and minds of Chinese voters, but when Pas comes out with sensitive and racial statements, these anger the Chinese.
The community gets angry with us for working with Pas.
I hope Pas will instead come out with statements that represent all Malaysians and not only one race.
The party is free to do what it wants, but it has to consider our feelings, too.
When Gerakan comes out with a statement, we do not pressure either the Malays or the Chinese. Our statements are fair and represent everybody.
Q: Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau had said attention would be on Penang during GE15 on the back of ensuring a PN victory in the polls. Do you think the party stands a chance?
A: Currently, no, we are not 100 per cent prepared yet. Maybe 80 to 90 per cent. But we are on standby mode.
Young voters will be the "kingmakers" this time around. In Penang, there are about 300,000 such voters. They are not to be overlooked.
With this in mind, 80 per cent of Penang Gerakan candidates will comprise young professionals, such as doctors, lawyers and engineers.
We can feel the difference now. When we go to the ground, people tell us that DAP has been in power for too long and that we stand a chance.
I remember those days when we go to the market, people will say anjing mai (the dogs are coming). Now, they accept us.