Gerakan members have been told to work towards controlling their own economic future as most jobs now do not need physical strength, like those in the education, services and professional sectors.

Party deputy president Kerk Choo Ting said future issues were not expected to be gender-based but on how to earn a livelihood in the wake of global trade and market liberalisation.

He said key production factors like land, funds and human resources had been over-taken by a knowledge and technology-based economy where human resources training and education decided the country's economic future.

"The future is full of competition, locally, regionally and internationally, weakening the protective barrier and making life more challenging," he said at the opening of the GerakanYouth and Wanita delegates conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Kerk urged the delegates to move out from their traditional role and expand their scope of activity for the benefit of the people.

"We are banking on the Youth and Wanita to guide us towards a future path which is more complete, peaceful, prosperous and liberal," he said.

Fragile society

The deputy president also urged the two movements to work hard towards maintaining mutual respect among the various communities as it is crucial to ensure continued peace and harmony in the nation's multi-racial society.

"We need to build a peaceful and harmonious multi-racial society. Society is fragile, we need to respect each other's sensitivity."

Even in the move towards achieving equal rights, a "win-win" formula is needed for all races in the country, Kerk said.

The event, held at Dewan Wawasan in Menara PGRM in Kuala Lumpur, was attended by some 1,200 delegates.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will address the party's general assembly tomorrow.