AS rift between Gerakan and PAS intensified over the morality aspect of brewers’ funding for development of Chinese schools, the former’s deputy president Oh Tong Keong (main image) has issued an ultimatum that Gerakan will not hesitate to quit Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the name of defending Chinese education.
As a matter of fact, he contended that Gerakan would also not stay in a coalition if it is forced to accept extremely conservative and unreasonable demands of a “particular party” which he dubbed as “taiko” (literally, “big brother”).
Such was Oh’s response to PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s warning that PN may drop Gerakan in the next general election after both parties took opposing stances on the issue of a brewery channelling funds to vernacular schools.
After PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man ticked off Gerakan president Datuk Dominicc Lau Hoe Chai that siding DAP’s views on the issue of brewers’ funding of Chinese schools is not the right way to win the Chinese support for PN, other PAS’ top brass were mulling Gerakan’s ejection from the Muslim-centric coalition.
PN’s vocal election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor made it clear that no tears should be shed if Gerakan chose to leave the coalition.
The Kedah Menteri Besar further stressed that the Gerakan leadership must learn to respect the Malays and Islam in Malaysia.
“There is no need to issue threats, we are mature. Learn to respect. Learn to respect the Malays and Islam in this country. What is this politics of making threats?” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
On a personal note, Sanusi said he had no qualms if Gerakan exited the coalition.
“You are welcome to leave. That is Sanusi’s comment. Everyone must respect them but they don’t respect us … You don’t expect just the Malays to respect you (all the time).” he added.
Earlier, Free Malaysia Today reported PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah as stating that if Gerakan is uncomfortable with being part of PN, then it is free to leave the coalition.
Personal opinion vs party stance
Amid the Gerakan-PAS row which threatens a shake-up in the opposition coalition, Gerakan Youth secretary-general Andy Tan Hum Wei has questioned Oh’s prerogative in issuing the statement that “Gerakan will not hesitate to leave PN”.
“Firstly, I want to ask him if this the party’s position or just his personal stance. After all, he’s not an ordinary CWC (central working committee) member but a deputy president who might have obtained higher-up consent,” Tan penned on his Facebook (FB) page.
“Secondly, Oh is also one of the PN supreme council members. Has this matter ever been brought to the forum and agreed upon or does he actually have his own agenda?
“Considering the seriousness of this matter, I would like to ask if this is the party’s position or otherwise. Although I strongly disagree (with Oh), I shall agree and accept it if that’s the party’s decision.”
Whatever the case is, PAS Tanjong information head Anas Soffy Abd Wahid has drawn similarity between the arrogance of Gerakan and DAP, alluding to the fact that it is in the best interest of all parties that “Gerakan follows DAP’s footsteps” by declaring its exit from PN.
“As Gerakan’s recent statements are seemingly similar to DAP, it’s better for the party to be with Pakatan Harapan (PH),” she pointed out in a FB posting while noting that Gerakan has been losing its influence since the 12th General Election (GE12) in 2008. – July 30, 2024
