Dicuss first, do not push laws through, says Gerakan

Tan Keng Liang wants Umno to discuss proposed legislative bills and amendments at the BN Supreme Council before tabling at parliament to avoid hastily 'pushed through' laws.

ALOR SETAR: Kedah Gerakan youth head Tan Keng Liang wants Umno to discuss proposed legislative bills or amendments at the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council before proceeding to table it at parliament as the federal government no longer has Chinese-based BN representatives from either MCA, Gerakan or Sarawak parties.

Citing the Prevention of Crime Act Bill, which was mooted and passed without reference to either MCA or Gerakan, Tan claimed that the law was hastily pushed through, leaving many quarters in the dark about the consequences.

“The principle should apply to all new legislative bills, which Umno wants to introduce to the country.

“Umno should first discuss it extensively at the BN Supreme Council level where the top leadership of the coalition are present.

“It is the best platform to have internal discourse about new laws,” he said.

“Once the matter is discussed and approved, only then should the federal government move on to table it at parliamentary-level.

“This is an important administrative facet to adopt since MCA or Gerakan have no cabinet representation.

“This may change in the future should MCA and Gerakan be re-absorbed into the cabinet. For now, it is best to discuss these matters at the BN level,” he added.

Matter of principle and natural process

Meanwhile, Gerakan central committee incumbent Wong Mun Hoe stressed that the party should not accede to “requests” to take up cabinet posts in view that the party had performed badly at the GE13 last May.

“A large segment of people did not support Gerakan. We lost both parliamentary and state seats. We only won one parliament and two state seats.”

“The people made up their mind(s). We, in Gerakan should respect their wishes that they no longer want us to represent them, particularly in Penang where for two consecutive elections, Gerakan has failed to retain or regain any seats,” Wong said.

One of the pioneering multi-ethnic political parties in the peninsular, Gerakan will be holding its party elections later this month.

Nominations for posts of president, deputy president, four vice-presidents and 17 central committee slots will close next weekend.

It remains to be seen if delegates and the leadership pool will abide by the recommendation of Gerakan acting president Chang Ko Yuan that there should not be any contest for the president and deputy president positions.

Chang recently said that a no-contest will make it easier for the party to close ranks focus on restoring its political standing in Malaysia.

Personalities eyeing top positions include Chang, Mah Siew Keong, Teng Chang Yeow, Dr Teng Hock Nan, Chia Kwang Chye, Dominic Lau, Tan Lian Hoe, A Kohilan Pillai, Liang Teck Meng, Dr Asharuddin Ahmad, Dr Cheah Soon Hai and Raymond Tan.

It is learnt that topics to be discussed during debate proceedings at its delegates conference and elections are to focus more on Sabah, to consider withdrawing from BN and to champion more people-centric issues.

There is also expected to be time devoted on how Gerakan can make a comeback to the party’s once traditional stronghold – Penang.