KUALA LUMPUR, May 23- All Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties should merge to become only one party in order to win back the people’s support and avoid racial problems, said Gerakan acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.
He said this proposed transformation was apt to be undertaken by BN after its dismal performance in the recent 13th general election (GE13), so as to fulfil the aspirations of the people, especially the young generation.
“It will also be in line with the changing political scenario after GE13, which showed young people’s inclination to support a party and not the candidates chosen to contest in the elections. “We feel that all (BN) component parties should go for the non-racial line, as the merging of these parties including those in Sabah and Sarawak will be able to give a new image to BN in order to win back public support and ensuring unity among party members.”
Chang said this after chairing the Gerakan Central Committee meeting, here, today. In the GE13 on May 5, Gerakan only won only one parliamentary seat (Simpang Renggam in Johor) out of 11 it contested and three state seats (Pemanis in Johor and Tanjong Papat and Elopura in Sabah) out of 31 it vied for.
Chang said the party would discuss on accepting government posts at its next CC meeting scheduled for the third week of June. He said the decision made on May 11 was too hasty as it was made only a few days after the GE13.
He felt that BN component parties, whether MCA or Gerakan, should accept the government posts offered although they lost badly in the GE13 so as to carry on with the BN government’s transformation.
“Unless you don’t agree with BN’s policy, you decline the post. But if you are still with BN, you must agree to accept the posts offered to ensure that BN and the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) could continue with their transformation agenda,” he said.
Asked on the Chinese community’s acceptance of Gerakan if it accepted the government posts offered, Chang said the decision to not accept any was made by the party’s Central Committee (CC), which could be changed, and not at the party’s annual general assembly.
“There must be change in line with the needs and wants of society and the non-acceptance (of government posts) should not be forever. So, the matter will be brought up again at the CC meeting for discussion,” he said. Chang, meanwhile, slammed Pakatan Rakyat for holding public rallies here and there to protest against the GE13 results and also claiming that they (opposition pact) had won more popular votes than BN.
“They need to understand that Malaysia practises the Westminster system of electing a government, that is, based on the number of seats won and not the number of votes, while the GE13 results have also been generally accepted. “If they want to change the general election system, they should follow the proper procedure by proposing the motion in Parliament and getting the support of the lawmakers, but not by holding demonstrations and inciting the public to hate the BN government,” he said.
-BERNAMA
