Gerakan has decided to field its deputy secretary-general, Wendy Subramaniam, to contest in the coming Tanjung Piai by-election.
The former BN component party is expected to face its former ally and Pakatan Harapan in this by-election.
Gerakan president Dominic Lau made the announcement at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
Lau said Wendy who is also Gerakan wanita vice chief, is a lawyer and a qualified accountant.
The 38-year-old Chindian from Johor and living in Kulai, is well versed in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin.
According to Wendy’s profile, she is a Johor Bahru Foon Yew Independent High School graduate and holds a Northumbria University's Law degree.
Wendy, a mother of two, told the media that she has been in Gerakan for 12 years.
“I know the struggle of being a full-time working mother. I hope I can encourage more women to get involved in politics as the percentage of women in politics still less than 30%.
“I hope rakyat can give us a mandate to voice out their dissatisfaction towards the government as well. Let’s get Tanjung Piai as the start of the third force,” she said.
Meanwhile, Lau said Gerakan only finalised their candidate last night at Tanjung Piai after the leadership received six nominations from the ground.
On announcing their candidate in Kuala Lumpur, Lau said the by-election was meaningful to Gerakan and did not see it as an election that only involved Tanjung Piai or Johor.
“All of us are very focused on this by-election especially this is the first election after we left BN. Therefore, our position must be very clear. We cannot simply rely on resources to fight for winning but strategies are important,” Lau (below) said.
He said Gerakan will hold their annual congress to Johor Bahru on 9 Nov so that they can fully focus their manpower during the campaign period.
“We will mobilise all the members to join our campaign and show support for Wendy,” Lau said.
On the other hand, Lau stressed that Gerakan wanted to provide an alternative choice for the people in this by-election.
Besides helping the people to express their dissatisfaction, Lau also wanted to send a clear message to BN that Malaysia as a multiracial country, must kept moderate and inclusive.
“Racism is not the solution for the nation's development. Like Gerakan, we are the multiracial party not Umno or Parti Pribumi Bersatu (PPBM),” Lau said.
He also welcomed other parties or NGOs to collaborate together during the campaign period as long as they agreed with Gerakan’s multiracial ideology.
Tanjung Piai Bersatu chief Karmaine Sardini will be representing Harapan in safeguarding the seat, while BN will decide whether Umno or MCA is to contest.
The by-election was called after Mohd Farid Mohd Rafik passed away from a heart attack last month.
Mohd Farid defeated Wee Jeck Seng of the MCA in the last general election by only 524 votes.
The candidates will formally be nominated on Nov 2, while Tanjung Piai voters are scheduled to go to the polls on Nov 16.
(More to follow) - Mkini
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