Dominic Lau is the new Gerakan chief, Oh is deputy

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Dominic Lau is the new Gerakan president and Oh Tong Keong will be his deputy.

Dr Lau defeated his sole opponent Andy Yong for the party's top leadership with a majority of close to 300 votes.

Dr Lau, who took over the post from Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, was the former vice-president while Yong was the Gerakan Youth deputy chief.

Oh, the former Penang Gerakan chairman, defeated his opponent A. Kohilan Pillay for the deputy president post.

Prior to the official announcement of the results, Dr Lau said the election was gentlemanly and there were no personal attacks among candidates.

"This is what Gerakan is about. This is neither a win for me nor a loss for Andy – it's a win for Gerakan.

"Now we must all return to the party and help ensure we return to parliament in the 15th General Election," said Dr Lau.

The president's post became vacant after Mah resigned, following Gerakan's performance in GE14 which saw the party losing all the seats it contested.

This was followed by the party's decision to leave the Barisan Nasional coalition in June.

Dr Lau was Gerakan's candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat in GE13 and GE14, but he failed to win in both outings.

The posts for Wanita Gerakan and Pemuda Gerakan chiefs were both won uncontested by Janice Wong and Ooi Zhi Yii respectively.

A total of 1,174 delegates attended the conference.- Star