Buck-up or pack-up! That is the clear message to Gerakan's leadership as the gap between its leaders and the grassroots widens and the relationship deteriorating fast.

The party insider said: “It is time that Gerakan wakes up to reality and listen to voices of the party delegates and grassroots if the party is to remain relevant in the next general election.”

The source revealed to Malaysiakini today that there is a lot of unrest in the party, especially at the grassroots. They have become disillusioned with the paths taken by the leadership allegedly to safeguard their own survival.

“On the surface it (the party) may look alright but grassroots resentments are boiling inside and it is like a political time bomb waiting to explode anytime,” the source pointed.

“The political time bombs are ticking away in Malacca, Johor, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang. It is a question of grassroots not able to work with the party state chiefs appointed by the leadership without consulting their views or the delegates.”

Infighting weaking party

Factions have been formed in the above mentioned states and infighting and power struggle among party members between state chiefs and grassroots seem to be the order of the day.

This source predicted a few months ago that once party chief Dr Koh Tsu Koon ( right ) joins the BN cabinet through the backdoor, it will the start of the political disintegration of Gerakan as personal agendas will overtake party commitments.

Koh was made a senator before being appointed as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department by Prime Minister Najib Abdul razak during the recent cabinet reshuffle.

koh tsu koon pc 300409 “What is badly needed now is a total revamp of the party with party leaders listening to views and grouses of the grassroots and solving the spiralling problems in the party. Either we buck up or pack up,” said the source.

Umno respected us when Gerakan ruled Penang when we lost the state to Pakatan Rakyat, we not relevant, added the source.

“The party must clean up its own backyard first and put its house in order before turning critical of other BN or Pakatan party policies.”

The source alleged that the party boss has always been a ‘Yes-man' to Umno and never crossed swords with them.

The party now needs a strong leader who can stand against the might of Umno and fight for the party’s philosophy and political commitment as a multi-racial party for all Malaysians.

Koh has lots of explaining to do

The source fears that more Indian party members who seem not to get fair or equal treatment in the party may cross-over to either to PKR or the proposed new political party of Hindraf.

To stop this worrying trend, Koh must give a comprehensive report on the sale of Kampung Buah Pala to its residents.

NONE Also the source stated Koh should stop pointing fingers at Pakatan for the political turmoil in Penang and take responsibility for the emotional upheaval he had caused Kampung Buah Pala residents.

Already 5,000 Gerakan Indian members in Penang have pledged to join a new party headed by P Uthayakumar.

Likewise, a huge number of Chinese members are also expected to jump ship over the three-year suspension of party vice-president Huan Cheng Guan who is popular among the grassroots nationwide.

Huan was suspended from the party after he publicly criticised the party leadership.

When asked if he too will jump ship from the party, the source said: “I'm contemplating and will decide soon.”