KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan has become the latest party in the coalition to leave Barisan Nasional (BN).
The matter was decided in the party Central Committee (CC) meeting today.
“The CC in its meeting today has made a unanimous decision to leave Barisan Nasional.
“The decision was made after serious and comprehensive deliberation, reflection and consideration on current political developments of the country post 14th General Election (GE14)”.
The decision was relayed to the press in a statement.
“Sentiment and feedback of grassroots was also taken into consideration in this decision, while elections at branch level are undergoing nationwide. It is in line with our aim to consolidate our party and members.
“We believe it is absolutely necessary for Gerakan to embark on a new political journey with freedom, empowerment and assertion in pursuing what we believe is best for Malaysia and Malaysians – an egalitarian and united Malaysia,” the statement read.
The party central committee said the decision was also in line with new aspirations, needs and demands of the people post-GE14.
“We have decided that Gerakan must chart a new direction to sustain ourselves and continue our struggle.
“We leave BN on good terms, Gerakan will play its role as an independent party in the Opposition bloc to offer check-and-balance to the Pakatan Harapan government and will be a constructive opposition.
“We will cooperate with like-minded parties, individuals and groups in the national interest to uphold and defend the Federal Constitution, rule of law and democracy of Malaysia, we are most committed to preserving the Malaysian way of life as we know and we want collectively as Malaysians.”
The CC said the party had long considered its political idealism, performance and integrity as its proudest asset,
“Gerakan was the pioneer of liberalism, multiracialism and pragmatism in Malaysian politics in the early days of nationhood, we will strive to reprise our role once again in a maturing multi-party system.”
Gerakan’s exit from BN comes in the wake of four Sarawak parties leaving the coalition.
These included Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).
They left BN to form a new coalition called Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
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