GEORGE TOWN, Sept 10- Penang Gerakan legal and human rights bureau head, Baljit Singh said he decided to contest the state Gerakan chairman post in the party elections this Sept 15, as he wanted to effect change in the party, besides portraying Gerakan as a multiracial party.
He said the decision made was also not to go against anyone but believing in the democratic process, he wanted to give the party delegates choices in selecting a qualified candidate to breath new life into the party.
“I am serious about contesting the Penang Gerakan chairman post. This is not a game. If a person wants change, he has do so something to bring about that needed change.
“You cannot be doing nothing. Talking is easy but to be at the forefront, you need to act fast. Here, I will not be doing it alone but with a group to take Gerakan to the next level,” he said at a news conference, here, today.
The party elections this Sunday will see a straight fight between Baljit and former Penang Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow for the post of state Gerakan chairman.
The nominations to select six committee members and five national representatives which took place at the state Gerakan headquarters in Jalan Macalister, here, closed at noon yesterday.
Baljit said the group he would bring to the fore would have their hearts and minds for the party and people of Penang, besides having no vested political interests.
He said the first thing he would do if chosen to helm Penang Gerakan was to unite the members by meeting up with all divisional and branch leaders and the party grassroots.
“I believe that everyone has heard since 2008 that Gerakan needs to be a unity party, but what has been done to achieve this? I will do it. I have to go to the divisions, branches and the grassroots to unite all party members,” he added.
Asked whether he had quarrelled with Teng, Baljit said: “No. I am only here to give choices to the delegates. Let them choose. If we believe in democracy, we should allow them to choose (their leader).”
Baljit also reminded the delegates that the well-being and future of the party was vital, hence he urged them to love the party much more.
– BERNAMA
