Gerakan to punish, sack members who utter racist statements

SHAH ALAM: Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong told attendees at the party’s delegates conference today that the party will punish members who utter racist statements.

The punishment for such an offence may include sacking the member from the party.

He urged other Barisan Nasional component parties to do the same against their members who resort to racism in order to gain political mileage.

Delivering his keynote address at the party’s 43rd Delegates Conference at Setia City Convention Centre here, Mah who is also the Teluk Intan member of parliament said Gerakan and the other BN component parties must lead the way in calming down the current sense of racial disharmony felt by many Malaysians.

“National tension is increasing; Malaysians are fighting each other via social media, especially the younger generation.

“I can’t sleep at night after reading many of the comments on social media. They are community based and racist. I am worried for the future of the country,” he said.

On the matter of rebuilding the party, Mah who was elected as party president late last year, said he had worked to transform the party after heavy defeats in the last two general elections.

“Admittedly, like all other BN component parties, Gerakan is in a very challenging situation politically after the 12th and 13th general election. We really need to regain the trust and support of the people.

“It is my pledge to restore the political fortunes of the party by strengthening the party’s organisation, recruiting more members and continuing our service to the people.

“As such, we must believe in and practice renewal. Given the rapid advancement in today’s world, we must move with quickly or else we will be left behind.

“We have also stepped up efforts on political training to ensure our members are kept up to date with the current political scenario and ensure greater understanding of the history and principle of the party’s struggle

Mah said his recent victory in the Teluk Intan by-election was a testimony to the party’s ability to manage their own campaign.

“The victory is only the first step and our challenge now is to build on this victory and employ the right strategies to ensure we keep on winning.

“Unlike the DAP and their cohorts, we did not resort to personal attacks and name-calling . We worked to understand the needs of the voters and how we can deliver for them,” he said.

He also called for all parties to revisit the 1Malaysia concept that has been treated as a mere slogan by many.

“It has always been Gerakan’s struggle to call for a measured and balanced approach to governance. We believe that an inclusive and equitable government will be politically propitious. BN must firmly entrench itself in the political centre,” he said.

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