Stand Up, Speak Out

On the 9th September 2008, Penang Gerakan decided to severe its ties with Penang UMNO due to the case of Ahmad Ismail. Below are the video clips of the related news.

After the first meeting of the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Bukit Bendera Division Youth first meeting, the team of commitee members have been finalized.

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。

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?

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 NST > Sunday Interview (06/04/08)

A month after its disastrous outing in the March 8 general election, Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye tells TAN CHOE CHOE that the party would move forward and rebuild by going back to its core values and seeking new talents

Q: What is the sentiment like in the party now?

A: We ’re going round the country, meeting members, organising and rebuilding. It’s been meeting after meeting. The turnout had been surprisingly good —packed rooms in Perak, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur — despite the short notices.I think the (election) results created a sense of urgency among members and this is a positive thing. We need to galvanise it into a new energy to move the party forward.

We can either cry over spilt milk or turn this defeat into something positive.

Q: What is this new direction for Gerakan?

A: From the feedback, we know Gerakan’s core values are intact.

We ’re proud that we still have a positive political culture among our members.

I believe people voted against Barisan Nasional and, of course, Gerakan is in the way. A lot of people have expressed sympathy, support and regret. But we have become less vocal.

And while we maintained our political culture and values, we did not impose them —we did not tell our component partners that these are the values of a Malaysian society; that they should practise them too.

We should see how we can have a healthier political culture within BN —that will be our new mission as a component party.

Wewant to move forward by going back to our core values, political culture and ideology.

To rebuild, we also need new talents; younger leaders and grassroot members.

Q: (Acting president) Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and (Gerakan adviser) Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the arrogance of certain Umno leaders had angered voters. Would the results have been different if Gerakan had spoken up about this earlier?

A: The results are multi-factorial. The major factor is the anti-BN wind that’s sweeping across the country, caused by political events in the past two years. We know some statements made by our component parties were extreme and we have expressed our opinion, but maybe not loud enough.

Perhaps if we had been more vocal, it could have reduced the catastrophe; checked the anti-BN wind that was blowing.

I don’t like to blame anybody because what’s important is to examine ourselves first. Ifwe had not done our best to correct something which was very different from our core values, perhaps we should make a more concerted and stronger stand and make it known that this is something which we cannot tolerate. We will do it now, to whatever limit we can.

Q: Gerakan has often been touted as a Chinese-based party, so what are these core values? Are they still of multi-culturalism, multi- racialism?

A: Our slogan has always been to build a fair and just Malaysia. We have embraced the Vision 2020 and we’ve almost adopted the (concept of) Bangsa Malaysia. You can call it Bangsa Malaysia or Malaysian. Whatever it is, we should have a common identity and common goal to move forward.Gerakan’s ideals are still based on multi-ethnicity.

A: Our mistake is thatwe have not championed the Malaysian cause more strongly. I think there’s a growing group, especially the young, who’re very different. They think Malaysian. But it’s better late than never.

We were the first few to approach politics from a solely nonethnic viewpoint—the Malaysian way. But we’ve lost the initiative.

The voters now don’t care of what colour or creed the candidates are.

It’s a wake-up call and we want to seize (back) the initiative.

Q: What made the party lose the initiative? Is it complacency?

A: We can say it’s complacency, maybe it’s because of economic development. The emphasis on ideological and philosophical base (of the party) has weakened, not only in Gerakan, but in other parties too.

At the same time, issues of religion and language have brought in two extremes. One is a more negative, narrow, conservative group which is more inward-looking visà- vis their own religion.

Then there’s a younger group who feel we should tolerate and accept Malaysia as a multi-ethnic society, respect everyone’s differences.

Yes, we have lost focus, perhaps because we have not emphasised enough on Bangsa Malaysia. We have always maintained it in our national conferences, (but) the question is how to translate this down to the grassroots.

Q: Some people are saying that Koh Tsu Koon’s indecision over his successor was one of the main contributors to Gerakan’s poor outing.

A: My answer is still the same.

(The results) have multiple causes.

Some are more dominant.

Q: So you won’t deny it?

A: This is one of the factors that many people have told me. The reason I don’t want to say this is because I’m (one of) the interested parties. If I agree too much, then people will say it’s sour grapes.

That ’s why I’m not saying anything.

Q: You say Gerakan champions multi-ethnicity. But whywere only Chinese candidates fielded in the last general election?

A: Perhaps, we have become too idealistic and alienated from the reality. There is a difference between form and content.Content is that if we are Malaysian-thinking, I don’t see you as a Chinese, but a Malaysian. So it doesn’t matter whether I field a Chinese, Indian or Malay as a candidate.

But society is not ready for it. So it seems we have to go back to form —to be multi-ethnic.

Being Malaysian and being multi- ethnic is different. The latter means I have to have Indian, Malay and Chinese candidates, but the former means it doesn’t matter what colour, creed or even gender.

But the reality doesn’t permit that, so we should be more realistic and pragmatic.

Q: Both Dr Toh Kin Soon (Gerakan veteran) and (national youth vice-chairman) S. Paranjothy commented on the Hindraf issue last year but only Paranjothy was referred to the disciplinary committee. How would you explain this?

A: There’s a difference between party discipline and the merit of the statements. We may agree with the content, but disagree with the party discipline actions.

But it’s over already. We’ll find better ways to handle (such issues).

But issues like this, seemingly small, added up. It’s like the one that broke the camel’s back. We don’t know which one, but it’s the last straw.

Q: Somepeople think parties like DAP and Keadilan are more multi- ethnic than what Gerakan has become.

A: Who has the longer record as a Malaysian party and has been championing multi-ethnicity and a Malaysian Malaysia? I won’t say we are the only ones butwe have a longer history and we’re able to mix and struggle with Malaysians of multi-ethnicity —use non-Chinese if you like, although I don’t like the word. This is something that ’s not easy to forge.We ’ve proven our political culture and we can work together.That is not something that many parties can claim.

Q: Dr Toh Kin Soon suggested that Gerakan leave BN if it can’t push through the reforms needed.

A: Different people have pointed out different options for us —stay in BN, join the opposition, or go independent.

At this juncture, the time is not right (to leave).

We will continue to reform from within until such time that it can’t be done. Then, it (leaving) is something we have to rethink.

To move forward, we have to think of how to unite all Malaysians to think as Malaysians and to look at this country as belonging to all of us.

Q: How about merging with component parties of similar ideology, like PPP?

A: We ’ve always had good working relationships with our component parties. If the time or situation permits a merger, then so be it. But I will not force the issue now.

Q: How would you describe the road ahead for Gerakan?

It’s going to be long, tough, and lonely because we’ve set ourselves high ideals. When I say lonely, it’s lonely in the sense that you’re the only one…what Malaysian society are you talking about, (when) nobody talks about it.

Q: So we are going to see a more vocal Gerakan in the future?

A: You ’re seeing it already. Butwe don’t want to be vocal for the sake of being vocal, but based on the values and ideology we believe in.

If it’s not good for Malaysians, we have to speak up.

Q: Will it be difficult, given BN’s norm of discussing things behind closed doors?

A: If we can resolve behind closed doors, we will do it. But if it comes out in the public, if certain people have amassed wealth that’s beyond their means and glaringly displaying it, then do you stillwant to keep quiet?

Q: How is Gerakan adapting to the role of opposition in Penang?

A: We ’re watching. We’ll set up our own committee to monitor DAP and see how it performs.

This post is specially dedicated to the NATO-members. (No Action, Talk Only)

During the year 1910 at the Sorbonne, Paris; Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States said, ”It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

This is what I have to say after listening to a few members who “talked”.

We have been knocked down, badly. VERY badly indeed. While I was driving today, a quote from a famous person suddenly came to my mind.

Dan Quayle, the 44th Vice President of the United States quoted “The question in life is not whether you get knocked down. You will. The question is, are you ready to get back up and fight for what you believe in.”

It is true that we have been knocked down. We have fallen. But are we ready to get back up and fight for what we believe in? The Bukit Bendera Division Youth committee just had a meeting yesterday. Of course, the main agenda was about the defeat we have suffered and how we are standing back again.

It’s a positive sign for the committee that most of the members turn up during the meeting. Despite defeat, every single one of us are still committed to get back up! It is a sign given by the key people in the Division Youth that we are STANDING UP, SPEAKING OUT!