KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan is now officially part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, according to its president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai.
In a statement today, Lau said Gerakan's application to join PN has been accepted by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is also the Prime Minister.
"With this, I have instructed Gerakan's Central Committee, State representatives and all of the party divisions nationwide to provide their expertise in all areas as well as help with membership movements, meeting the public and convey PN's people-centric agenda for the sake of Malaysians. Each of us need to unite in ensuring PN's success," he said.
PN was officially formed as a pact last year, consisting of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Pas and Sabah-based parties such as Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Progresif Sabah (SAPP).
As a multiracial party, Lau said Gerakan vows to be the voice of all Malaysians regardless of their racial and religious backgrounds to ensure the country's political stability, especially in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
He said as the newest member of the PN coalition, Gerakan is tasked with helping the government in its efforts to fight the Covid-19 outbreak as well as on Putrajaya's recovery plans for the country.
"The politics we are seeing now is very different from what we experienced prior to the 14th General Election (GE14). There have been too many changes and too much chaos.
"What's clear is that we need a willingness to unite (among political players) for the sake of the people and the nation.
"There is no need to prolong the political attacks simply to gain positions and ranks. Let's set all of that aside and shift our focus to developing the country," he said.
Gerakan was previously a Barisan Nasional component party but left the coalition on June 23, 2018, after BN lost GE14 to Pakatan Harapan.
During GE14, Gerakan performed badly where it lost all 11 parliamentary and 31 state seats it contested.