Stuck in a party politics mindset

 

From Remy Majangkim

I refer to Murray Hunter’s commentary which speaks of a Gerak Independent (Gerak) leader withdrawing his prospective candidacy and that the movement was criticised for putting up candidates in Pakatan Harapan (PH) constituencies beside failing to be clear on policies, such as on the issues of secularism and Islam in government.

Commentators seem to not realise that Gerak is not a political party and the word “independent” in its name is the genius of its approach.

Gerak candidates are vetted for, among other criteria, their integrity and principles that align with the five pillars of the movement. And they can leave if they cannot adhere. Gerak has no whip or a “follow the leader” mantra – the bane of why our political system has been so corrupt.

In that sense, Gerak’s main objective is to bring capable MPs into Parliament for national service rather than political party service.

Any candidate’s departure will not create a void to Gerak, whose job is to present a candidate that is not beholden to party politics and internal horse-trading but one who is willing to sacrifice for national service. Of course, the sacrifice includes having to handle the pressure of brickbats from many sides.

On criticisms of “taking PH seats”, I need only repeat the retort from both Siti Kasim and Tawfik Ismail. These seats, or any others, do not “belong” to anyone.

With the 10 parliamentary seats announced as Gerak’s target, it means there are 202 seats left. This is democracy and the change Gerak wants to initiate is MPs not being answerable to political parties, warlords or their supporters. Gerak will stand on its principles via its pillars.

Having said all that, as Siti pointed out, they are already in talks with friendly parties to work out coordination and mutual support.

Finally, and most importantly, the notion that the movement has failed to be clear on its policies is not a Gerak issue. Instead, it is a failure on the part of the media and commentators to listen and report accurately on what it has articulated every time it presents its case in many appearances and statements put out so far.

Maybe, this is an area Gerak needs to further promote to ensure that the totality of its message is heard.

However, how much clearer do its candidates need to be when Siti and Tawfik have repeatedly stated their stand on secularism and Islam in government.

Siti has been a proponent of secularism and separation of mosque and state consistently in all her writings, speeches and statements, even after the announcement of her candidacy.

Tawfik, too, has been the biggest voice against the institutionalisation of Jakim in government and its constitutional illegality.

Again, commentators seem to be stuck with the thinking that Gerak is a political party. No. These are individual candidates stating their stand on policies and issues and offering themselves as candidates to their target constituents under the banner of the Gerak movement’s principles.

The commentators are the ones stuck in a party politics mindset.

Gerak is by the people, for the people. We need to move beyond the cult of political parties and party personalities. - FMT

Remy Majangkim is a Gerak Independent member.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.