Dr Koh Tsu Koon was elected unopposed as Gerakan president when nominations for the party polls came to a close at 12pm today.

Koh's win was no surprise as he was former president Dr Lim Keng Yaik's annointed successor and had served as acting president since April 8, 2007.

The deputy presidency contest is between Perak Gerakan chief Chang Ko Youn and Federal Territories Gerakan Youth chief Mah Woei Chyi. Both are vying for the post for the first time.

gerakan nomination 041008 vp candidates A 10-way battle royal for the three elected vice-president posts is also on the cards, with front runners being two incumbents Dr S Vijayaratnam and Dr Teng Hock Nam both defending their post.

Another incumbent and front runner, Mah Siew Keong is also defending his post. After the last party poll, he was appointed to the post by virtue of his position as Youth chief. The party president can appoint up to five vice-presidents.

Outspoken former Youth vice-chief S Paranjothy is also making a bid for the vice-presidency. He was the surprise candidate and the last to submit his nomination papers.

The remaining six candidates are Huan Cheng Guan, Dr Asharuddin Ahmad, G Parameswaran, Robin Loh Hoon Lai, Dr Lim Thuan Seng and Lum Weng Keong.

Party elections is on October 11.

A record number of 40 individuals are also vying for 18 elected positions in the party’s central committee.

I have a heavy responsibility

Speaking to reporters later, Koh said that he had expected to be challenged for the party presidency and he had mixed feelings now that he is officially the party president.

gerakan nomination 041008 chia kwang chye koh tsu koon “It is a mixed feeling. While I feel happy and honoured, I also feel that I have a heavy responsibility,” he said.

On whether the large number of candidates for the vice-president and central committee posts was a sign that the grassroots were unhappy with the party leadership, Koh said that it was instead a sign that many party leaders were eager to serve the party.

Similarly, deputy-president hopeful Chang ( left in photo ) told reporters that the willingness of so many individuals to contest was a positive sign.

“It shows that even in this time of crisis (for the party), a lot of our members want to offer their leadership,” he said.

However, Chang cautioned that campaigns for votes from the party’s 2,000 delegates should not be a “bruising fight” in order not to split the party.

“We have to be restrained in the way we campaign ... it has to be conducted in a brotherly and friendly manner,” he added.

gerakan nomination 041008 chang ko youn mah woei chyi His opponent Mah Woei Chyi, 37, said that he was aiming for reforms in the party and would release a detailed election statement soon.

Woei Chyi also stressed that should there be no clear reforms in Barisan Nasional, Gerakan should leave the coalition.

Vice-president hopeful Paranjothy told Malaysiakini that he was contesting for the post because it was a good platform for him to raise issues, particularly from among the Indian community.

“Without a platform to voice out, no one would listen to me. I will leave it to the delegates (to decide). They know that I’m a vocal person,” he said.

Paranjothy is best known for blaming Umno for causing Indians to be “fourth-class citizens” in Malaysia late last year. Outgoing Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussien had reiterated calls for Gerakan to punish Paranjothy last month.