A Gerakan leader criticised his Barisan Nasional counterparts for not "speaking up" against certain government policies which curb freedom of speech and assembly. Toh Kin Woon said the other component parties had joined Umno and made up the BN to improve the situation from within an therefore leaders should not be "meek and talk within the party only."

"I don't know why some government leaders lack the confidence and cannot allow others to seek alternative views. If our views are right, why fear?" stressed the Gerakan executive committee member in an interview with malaysiakini in Penang recently.

"I will stick my neck out for the stands I make," he added.

Toh, who is also a Penang state government executive councillor, said he does not understand why certain leaders are afraid of "engaging with various groups or talking with the opposition".

"People cannot be exposed to one view only. If we think the opposition's views are not worth listening to then let the people hear it and make up their minds," he said in reference to the ban on ceramah (public talks) by all political parties.

However, Toh said those who have dissenting views have to bear the consequences of being sidelined and they will eventually leave the party. This will result in a party not having a pool of political leaders.

"I feel strongly that some parties have no direction. People will ask themselves 'What party will I choose? I see there is no party that can provide the challenge'," he said.

"Those who are between 25 to 40 years are more likely to have a critical stand if we allow the space. But this important source of creativity and intelligence has been curbed," he added.

Repeal ISA

In the interview, Toh who is renowned for his outspokenness, also expressed his sadness over the government's proposal to regulate Internet publications.

The Gerakan leader also reiterated his stand that the Internal Security Act - which allows detention without trial - be repealed.

Meanwhile, Toh described the Akujanji or loyalty pledge - a voluntary expression of loyalty to the country by civil servants and university students - as a "backward move".

"It is important to engage in a dialogue with students. BN leaders should meet the opposition in an open debate in universities," he said.

Toh said most bright students turned politicians after graduating such as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) chairperson Musa Hitam.

He cited an example when Mahathir was a young politician and spoke in universities in the early 1970s.

"There were initials boos and jeers but they turned into applause when people begin to appreciate his views," he said.

Democratic space

Toh said in 1974, when he was an economics lecturer in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, students had protested against the government's inability to resolve the country's inflation rate.

Mahathir, who was then a deputy minister for International Trade and Industry, explained the government's side of the story to the protesting students.

"He then requested for their views and suggested they could do research and submit their analyses to the government. The students felt happy that someone listened and wanted to share their views."

"People want justice, this is a natural human characteristic. If they cannot find it in the open, they will seek alternative channels and that is why it is important to open the democratic space as wide as possible," he added.

New ideas as political demands are changing said Toh, adding the country needed younger people with skills.

The excuse that "there is no one capable" has actually become part of the problem and there is no space generally for dissent, he stressed.