Gerakan president Dominic Lau has downplayed reported differences between his party and PAS, saying instead that the time has come to strengthen Perikatan Nasional.
He said PN, which includes Bersatu, has not had the chance to discuss their differences since the coalition’s formation before the 15th general election.
“As a relatively young political coalition, PN still has room to win the trust of more voters, based on individual (party’s) strengths.
“Since (PN’s) formation, we never sat down to discuss how to align our differences.
“So, in my view, the time has come for us to strengthen the coalition,” he said in a statement tonight.
Lau’s call to strengthen PN follows an open war of words between Gerakan and PAS leaders over the role of brewery companies in facilitating fundraising events for Chinese schools.
Gerakan leaders were notably absent during the announcement of PN’s candidate for the Nenggiri by-election yesterday, while PAS and Bersatu leaders in their speeches only highlighted the strong cooperation between the two Malay-based parties.
On Sunday, Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong said the party will not hesitate to quit PN if it means defending Chinese education.
Oh was responding to condemnation from PAS leaders such as its information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on Chinese schools working with breweries to raise funds. PAS mouthpiece Harakahdaily deemed Gerakan’s stance to be the same as its enemy DAP.
Oh today also called for all PN component parties to meet, amid the rising tensions with PAS.
Still can’t capture Putrajaya
Commenting further, Lau said PN has reached the “maximum level” in capturing the trust of Malay voters, and so the situation is either expected to remain consistent or drop to a lower level.
“Therefore it (support for PN) is still not enough to capture Putrajaya,” he warned, adding that PN remains unable to represent all segments of society.
“I see some of our MPs are running out of ideas in their narratives. Going back and forth on the same issues.
“While we (PN) play a check-and-balance role, I see that we have reached a bottleneck (of support), and so the time is right for us to sit and discuss,” he said.
As such, Lau said he would bring up his suggestion with PN leaders, to host an internal forum involving grassroots from all three parties.
Earlier today, Johor Gerakan Youth said it would freeze relations with the state’s PAS Youth with immediate effect, also over the brewery fundraising issue. - Mkini
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