GERAKAN:  SATU HATI FORWARD TOGETHER
 
Vision for Gerakan
To be the party of choice for all Malaysians.
 
Mission of Gerakan
To build a united, democratic, just, egalitarian, liberal and progressive nation for all Malaysians, transcending the barriers of race and religion. 
 
The Three Thrusts
1.       To voice Gerakan’s ideology, policy position and advocate a Malaysian solution for various major issues. 
 
2.       To rebuild, rebrand and re-empower the party at all levels to effectively serve and represent all Malaysians.
 
3.       To win the people’s hearts and minds, and to regain the people’s mandate.
 
 
 
EIGHT (8) MAIN STRATEGIES FOR GERAKAN
 
1.       To pro-actively formulate and voice principled policy positions, seek and effect workable and viable solutions, based on Rukun Negara and the party’s ideology, for major national issues affecting the country and the people.
 
2.       To be a constructive and effective opposition in the states under Pakatan Rakyat and to be the voice of the people within Barisan Nasional to pursue the reform of Barisan Nasional as a genuine and effective multi-racial coalition of political parties, committed to realizing a fair and just Malaysian society.
 
3.       To effectively rebuild and revitalise, enhance and empower the party’s presence and position nation-wide, especially in all our parliamentary and state constituencies in Penang and other states, with the aim of regaining people’s trust and mandate through the following:-
(a)      reinforcing links and relationship with the people;
(b)      upgrading effective services to the people;
(c)      Organising meaningful activities for the people;
(d)      identifying and training potential leaders
(e)      preparing for elections at all levels.
 
4.       To actively reach out to and forge smart partnership with members of the civil society and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), such as  associations, unions, guilds etc to work together to resolve issues and problems.
 
5.       To embark on membership expansion and consolidation by:-
(a)      motivating and activating existing party members;
(b)      recruiting more Malaysians from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, with emphasis on youth and women;
(c)      providing more flexible organisational structure and attractive programmes, such as Gerakan Muda, open branches and cyber branches, etc.
 
6.       To boost the morale and quality of leaders and members through increasing, revamping and upgrading political training programmes, for party leaders, members and supporters to reinforce ideological commitment; enhance knowledge on history, economy, society, culture, religion and politics; upgrade leadership, management and speaking skills, etc, and to make Gerakan competitive, vibrant and relevant as a learning organisation.
 
7.       To re-energise and revamp the party’s organisation and administration at all levels, including bureaux and taskforces, so as to be even more effective and efficient in implementing various programmes and achieving the objectives of the party.
 
8.       To further improve communication and public relations strategy to enable the people and party members to better understand and support the party.  
 
 
 
EIGHT (8) MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN
 
Gerakan to set direction, state position and seek solution for each area
 
1.       Safeguarding Human rights and equality — including issues such as equitable distribution of opportunities and wealth, abolition, amendment or reform of existing restrictive or discriminatory legislations, policies and practices.
 
2.       Promoting Religious freedom and harmony — promoting inter-religious mutual understanding and respect, establishing clear guidelines and procedure on conversion from one religion to another, implementing more liberal and positive strategy for places of worship, etc.
 
3.       Inculcating Common values and multi-cultural diversity _– including inculcation of common universal moral values, appreciation of multi-culturalism and multi-racialism, etc.
 
4.       Advocating Good governance and integrity –– such as upholding the rule of law and separation of power, promoting judicial reform and a clean efficient and transparent government.
 
5.       Generating robust and sustainable economic growth — through enhancing competitiveness, promoting ICT and knowledge-based economy (K-economy), consolidation and diversification of various economic sectors, development of small medium enterprises, etc.
 
6.       Sustaining ecological balance, quality of life, safety and security — promoting better planning, proper environmental conservation and waste management, safer and more secured habitat, through more efficient services, more effective enforcement, and more active local participation.
 
7.       Achieving a caring and healthy society — through empowering women and youth groups, advocating gender equality assisting the disadvantaged and disabled, promotion of  sports, cultural and social activities, etc.
 
8.       Enhancing education and human resource development — supporting the growth of all schools, colleges and universities; promoting multi-lingual capability and relevant skill sets; inculcating positive attitude and enterprising spirit to face future challenges and changes.
          
 
 
民政：万众一心，从心出发
 
民政愿景
成为全体马来西亚人属意的政党。
 
民政使命
超越种族和宗教藩篱，为全民打造团结，民主，公正，平等，自由和进步的马来西亚.
 
三大动力
1．  弘扬民政理念，阐明政策立场，并以”马来西亚人之道” 为各项重要课题寻求及推行解决方案。
2．  重组及重塑，全面强化党组织，以更有效地为民服务，为民请命。
3.    赢取民心，重获委托。
 
 
 
民政党八大策略
 
1.      对影响人民及国家的重大课题，根据《国家原则》及民政理念，积极主动地拟定及表达原则性的政策性立场，寻求及推行持久可行的解决方案。
 
2.      在人民联盟领导的州属，扮演建设性及有效的反对党。在国民阵线（国阵）政府内充当人民的喉舌，以促成国阵改革，成為真正及有效的多元民族联合阵线，致力于实现公平合理的马来西亚社会。
 
3.      通过以下步骤，有效地重组及振兴，强化及重新定位，在全国各地，尤其在檳州及其它州属由我们竞选的国州议席基地，赢回人民的信任和委托：-
 
（a）   加强与民互动联繫
（b）   提升為民服务工作
（c）   积极筹办利民活动
（d）   发掘训练潜质人才
（e）  准备参与各级竞选
 
4.      支持公民社会积极主动联繫非政府组织，如社团、工会、商会等，以建立精明伙伴关係，共商解决问题。
 
5.      广召党员，巩固组织：-
 
(a)        激发现有党员的奋斗精神。
(b)        招收更多不同种族和文化背景的国民，特别是青年及女性，入党。
(c)        提供更灵活的组织结构，及具吸引力项目，如《民政少青》、《开放分部》及《网络分部》。
 
6.      增设，重组及提升政治和干部训练课程，以提高各级党员及支持者对党政治理念的认识，以及歷史、 社会、文化、宗教、政治等领域的知识，和领导管理和演讲的技巧，使民政党成为有竞争力，活力和实质性学习型政治组织的定位不变。
 
7.      重新激发和重整党的各级，各局及工作队的组织和行政管理，以更有效地推动各项计划和落实党的目标。
 
8.      进一步提升文宣及公关策略，以让人民及党员对党有更深的认知、进而给于更大的支持。
 
 
 
八大国家课题
 
针对以下八大课题，民政党将确立方向，阐明立场及寻求可行解决方案。
 
1.      捍卫人权与平等 —- 包括机会均等和财富公平分配，废除，修订或改革现有具钳制性或歧视性的法令、政策和作风，等等。
 
2.      促进宗教自由与和谐 —- 促进各宗教间的相互了解与尊重，拟定更明确的改教指南与程序，对各宗教场所採纳更开明的处理方式，等等。
 
3.      推崇共同价值和多元文化观 —- 包括灌输共同的普世道德价值观，推祟多元文化和多元种族主义，等等。
 
4.      推动良政和廉政 —- 如维护法治和三权分立，推动司法改革及廉洁，高效和透明的政府，等等。
 
5.      推动蓬勃及持续性的经济成长 —- 通过提高竞争力，提倡资讯通讯工艺和知识型经济，巩固和多元化各经济领域，协助各族中小型企业的发展，等等。
 
6.      维持生态平衡、提升生活素质、确保治安安全 —— 通过更有效的服务和执法与地方民间的参与，以作出更良好的规划，推行更正确的环保措施及废物处理，及确保更安全的环境，等等。
 
7.      打造爱心及健康社会 —— 强化妇女和青年组织，促进男女平等；协助弱势社群及残疾人士；提倡体育、文化及社交活动等。
 
8.      提升教育及人力资源发展 —— 支持各源流学校及大专发展，提升多元语言以及各相关技术的掌握能力，灌输正面态度和进取精神，来面对未来的挑战和变化。

13 May 1969

“Close to four decades after the May 13 riots, it’s time to have a proper closure; the lesson learnt must not be used to create fear.” - Wong Chun Wai

more about May 13 riots…

Wikipedia

Wong Chun Wai

Ho Kay Tat

Bob Teoh

Awang Selamat

Martin Vengadesan

Election Over, Now What? That is the title of a half day seminar cum workshop session organized by Gerakan Bukit Bendera Division Youth during last Sunday.

The event started off at 9.30 am with a brief introduction of each member as there are a few new faces in the room.

After the short introduction, the participants were divided into 3 groups and each group is given a brainstorming & presentation task. Each group were given a different role and they have to present on how are they going to respond and act to the present political situation in Malaysia. The three different roles are the Opposition, Government and the NGOs.

The workshop was continued with a talk by Saudara Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon on ‘Party Formation & Direction’, Workshop on Political Blogging and ‘Youth’s Role in the Party & Now What?’ by Saudara Dato Seri Chia Kwang Chye.

The Youth Chairman of Bukit Bendera Division

The objective of the workshop is to:
- Educate the young members on the history and the struggle during the formation of the party
- To discuss on the direction of the party in the future
- To know the role of the youth in the party
- To learn about blogging in the political arena
- As a platform to connect the members

The half day workshop was closed with the official launching of Gerakan Bukit Bendera Youth’s Website & Blog.

On the last 1st of May, Gerakan Penang organized a Satu Hati Carnival in conjunction with the celebration of International Labour’s Day. As what is in the English proverb, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, I need not say anything much. The photos that I have captured says it all.

Let us show you the way…

Registration booth

In today’s news, New Straits Times quoted:

“Grassroot leaders of Gerakan and MCA believe their Chinese-based parties will bounce back before the next general election.”

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia have been formed dunring the year 1968. It begun as a MULTI-RACIAL party. And today, after 40 years of existence, the media regarded Gerakan as a Chinese-based party.

Yes, I cannot help but to admit that majority of the party members are Chinese. That is one of the reason people regard Gerakan as a Chinese-based party.

During the 12th General Elections, one of the community leaders in Penang quoted that Penang’s Chief Minister have to be trilingual. If Gerakan is a multi-racial party and it is destinied to hold the CM’s position (that was before the elections), they shouldn’t have been using ‘language’ as one of the main criteria in the selection of CM. It might be the community leader who said that, but Gerakan hasn’t been loud enough to deny the issue.

We need to stress out that Gerakan is a MULTI-RACIAL party; just as the public knows that Nike sells sportswear, Nokia produces mobile phones and Dell manufactures computers. Unless Gerakan does that, it will soon become irrelevant like other BN multi-racial entities (Berjaya, Akar, PPP, SNAP).

But what effort have we done to tell the public that Gerakan is a multi-racial party? How are we going to brand ourselves as a multi-racial party? What actions needed to be done?

Updated
The topic of the Teh Tarik Forum for this week has been changed to:
No Apology from Pak Lah - Is Judicial Appointments Commission Enough to Restore Confidence in the Judiciary?

Lee Kah Choon had late last month announced his resignation from all Gerakan posts, including as the deputy secretary-general and a member of the party’s two decision-making bodies, the Central Committee (CC) and the Central Working Committee (CWC), after its poor performance in the March 8 general election. 

This week, Lee accepted the offer to be appointed as the Director of Penang Development Corporation (PDC), Chairman of the executive committee of InvestPenang.

I will not elaborate further on this issue as I have noticed this topic has been on a number of blogs since the past few days. Instead, I just want to create a discussion among the readers of this blog regarding this case.

Some say that his action contravened the principle and spirit of the party’s general directive & betrayed Gerakan. Therefore, he should be sacked or in the other way around, he should resign as a member.

Ironically, a few stated that he did the right thing by accepting a job to serve the Penangites. They said that InvestPenang and PDC has nothing to do with politics.

What is your opinion?

From the Sun, April 18, 2008: 

A study has found young Malaysians in the peninsula to be generally optimistic about the state of national unity in the country, predicting that this would improve slightly within the next 10 years.
The study was conducted by the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute and the National Young Lawyer’s Committee (NYLC) of the Bar Council.
However, there were disturbing trends and underlying currents of ethnic tension that must be urgently addressed to avoid further racial polarisation, said former NYLC chairman Edmund Bon during the launch of the study today.
Bon said: “While the government had initiated various programmes to promote national unity, these were only surface solutions and did not address the underlying problems affecting the Malaysian community.”
Of the 1,000 respondents most of the 300 rural respondents seemed to be more optimistic about unity in the country and gave higher ratings to issues of harmony and race, while urban respondents showed a greater level of dissatisfaction.
Respondents from within the Central and Southern regions seemed to be less optimistic about national unity than those in the East and West of peninsular Malaysia.
Chinese were quite pessimistic about their future in the country, followed by the Indians. Malays were generally satisfied with their life in the country.
The study showed that Chinese were dissatisfied with economic policies and had a strong aversion to education in Malaysia, preferring foreign education over local.
The Chinese however ranked lower than Indians and Malays when it came to mingling with friends of different religions.
Those in the younger age group (18 to 24) were less likely to mix with others of different ethnicity relative to those in the 25 to 35 age group, indicating increasing racial polarisation amongst the young.
The research also indicates the disparity between what young Malaysians experience and what they perceive, because those who had healthy interethnic relationships at a personal level, gave lower ratings for unity at the national level. Respondents from rural areas and Malays rated religious harmony significantly higher than Chinese and Indians.
Also, a total 75% Malays say they have never been unfairly treated based on their race as opposed to 45% Chinese and 49% Indians, while on account of religion, 82% of Malays say they have never before been unfairly treated, as opposed to 53% each for both Chinese and Indians.
Among the suggestions given to improve national unity was the need to boldly examine public policies that adversely affect the socio-economic, and socio-political fabric, especially those related to provisions of equal opportunity and equal access to all.
These include:
> Economic Policies;
> Education Policies;
> Religious Policies;
> Racial Harmony; and
> National Unity Policies.
The objective of this quantitative survey was to unearth young Malaysians’ life values in the present and for the future, and to understand their attitudes towards national unity in Malaysia.
A number of factors contribute to national unity, namely a feeling of ownership of the country, aspirations for the future, racial and religious harmony, economic and education policies and experiences of unfair treatment. These factors were explored individually to assess the state of national unity in Malaysia.

The results of the survey are encouraging in that the young citizens of all races are optimistic on the state of national unity in Peninsula Malaysia.  With this positive note, we hope the Government will genuinely work on it to encourage further integration among the youth of various races.
 
During the last General Elections, the youth had played an important role in breaking down the hegemonic rule of BN.  The youth of all races and religions and of all economic and educational backgrounds, came together and stood up for their rights and fought against injustices.  Can this feeling of the youth be harnessed for the good of the country?  We, in BN, did not see this.  Now we see it, can the Government do something about it?
 
Mr Edmund Bon was right in saying that Government’s approach in getting youth together has been surface-deep.  The areas Government should look at are that of education which should bring the students of all races together again and of economic policies which should be more equitable regardless of race, especially in the implementation of the NEP.
 
The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah is right to say that national unity or racial harmony in Malaysia depends on the stability of the Malay mind.  This is a question of feeling secured in this country.  No politicians should under-estimate this.  While promoting for a more open, equal and just society, we should not neglect the “feeling of insecurity” of the Malays.  That does not mean that in order not to make Malays feel insecure, politicians should call for the “Ketuanan Melayu”.  In doing so, they will commit the same mistake of UMNO and will be rejected by the youth and all Malaysians.
 
The world has changed.  We all Malaysians must change or will be left behind by history.

The Story
In March 1988, Salleh, the then Lord President, had written to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on behalf of the judges expressing disappointment with accusations made by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad (now Tun) against the judiciary. Two months later, Salleh was suspended; and High Court of Malaya Chief Justice Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Omar was appointed acting Lord President. Salleh was brought before a tribunal for misconduct. He filed a suit in the High Court and called the tribunal “unconstitutional”. He also applied for an interim stay against the tribunal. Initially, it was denied, until 5 Supreme Court judges convened and granted Salleh an interlocutory order against the tribunal. This order was later reversed. In August 1988, Salleh was officially removed from his post of Lord President. The five Supreme Court judges who granted Salleh the order: Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Eusoffe, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh, Wan Suleiman and Seah were suspended. In October, Wan Sulaiman and Seah were sacked while the other 3 judges were reinstated. This series of events later became known as the judicial crisis of 1988, from which the judiciary has never recovered.

After Two Decades 
And after two decades, in April 2008, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called the six judges who were sacked or suspended in 1988 “towering judicial personalities” in the Bar Council dinner at the JW Marriot Hotel and said that the nation never fully recovered from the judicial crisis 20 years ago.Below are the excerpts of the few quotes from Pak Lah’s speech.
“For many, the events of 1988 were an upheaval of the nation’s judicial system. Rightly or wrongly, many disputed both the legality and morality of the related proceedings. For me, personally, I feel it was a time of crisis from which the nation never fully recovered.”

“For me and for many other Malaysians, these towering judicial personalities represent a very different era for the nation’s judiciary. Many felt that the judiciary then was a venerable institution which could be trusted to deliver justice. Some even hailed Malaysia’s judiciary as a model for other countries – independent and credible.”

“Let us move on. I do no think it is wise or helpful to revisit past decisions as it would only serve to prolong the sense of crisis – something our nation can do without. The rakyat wants movement and progress, not continuing strife.”

“For Tan Sri Eusoffe and Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman and their families, I know this sentiment is made too late. For Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah and Datuk George Seah, although this acknowledgement is 20 years too late, it is made with much hope that a measure of the pain and loss may yet be healed.”

“Gentlemen, I do not presume to equate your contributions, pain and loss with mere currency, but I hope that you could accept this as a heartfelt and sincere gesture to mend what has been.”

There was no apology in Pak Lah’s speech but it did not matter. The regret and the admission of wrongdoing on the part of the executive were evident from the choice of words and the manner of delivery.   

Judicial Reform 
Apart from that Abdullah and his team in the Government made the first move towards the judicial reform by announcing that the Government would set up a Judicial Appointments Commission to identify and recommend candidates for the Bench, and strengthen the principle of separation of powers.He also announced that the Government will begin reviewing the salaries of judges with the aim of attracting and retaining the country’s best talent.

The question is, how long can Pak Lah be persistent?