Be rational, Koh critics told

He is a victim of media spin, says Gerakan’s Michael Heah

GEORGE TOWN: Another Gerakan leader has come to Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s defence as calls for his removal as party president get louder.

Michael Heah, a member of the Penang Gerakan executive committee, today pleaded with party members to be rational instead of giving in to sentiments.

He joined deputy president Chang Ko Youn in defending Koh’s record as Penang Chief Minister. Last week, Chang issued a statement rejecting claims that Koh performed badly as chief minister for 18 years.

Koh’s most vocal critics have been figures who have left the party, including Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng and Parti Cinta Malaysia vice president Huan Cheng Guan.

Heah said no political party would survive if its members removed their leaders just because people from outside the party said they should.

“We must respect our constitution and guidelines,” he said. “When we hold our party elections next year or a special delegates’ conference, our members, including the grassroots, can voice out whether it is time for Koh to leave the party.”

He also said Penang Gerakan chairman Dr Teng Hock Nan, who is himself facing the same pressure that Koh is facing, had identified second and third echelon leaders to carry on the party’s struggle.

“Sometimes it is best to leave some things unsaid, such as whether Koh is still relevant or not.”

He claimed that Koh was a victim of media spin and that most Gerakan members accepted him as party president for now.

“Yes, he lost in the 2008 general election, but so did many other Barisan Nasional leaders,” he said. “It was a tsunami wave. It simply washed aside both the good and bad leaders. A tidal wave makes no distinction between who is good and who is bad.”