Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon has brushed aside calls for him to step down, stressing that he will stay on until the next general election.

"I intend to lead the party in the next general election. As for my position on whether if and where I contest, I will announce (later),” said Koh during a press conference at the party headquarters today.

tan lian hoe gerakan wanita chief agm 2011 2 The press conference was called immediately after the closing of the Wanita Gerakan AGM where its leader Tan Lian Hoe ( left ) launched a scathing attack against Koh over his “weak” leadership during her policy speech.

Tan explained to reporters later that Koh only has two options - shape up or quit.

However, Koh appeared unperturbed by Tan’s criticism and instead alluded that the latter was a frequent absenteeism from party leadership meetings had led her to make ill informed judgments.

"Perhaps if she attended the Central Working Committee (CWC) meetings more frequently, she would understand better what is going on and the decisions we have made.

"She must realise this is a collective leadership," he said in reference to Tan's position as a CWC member.

'I will make tough decisions soon'

On Tan’s claim that he is incapable of making tough decisions, Koh said she was entitled to her opinion.

"After the NDC (National Delegates Conference), I'm going to make many tough decisions and I hope that she can take it well,” he said.

He added that the decisions concern the future of the party, election candidacy and his personal position.

koh tsu koon gerakan agm 2011 1 "I don't expect everybody to like the decisions, I am not here to please everybody."

Asked if Tan who is Gerik MP would be dropped in the next general election, he responded: "I don't want to make any earlier announcement than (what I’ve already said)".

Koh said that he was not a vengeful person, explaining that he had once retained two of his critics as state assemblyperson candidates in Penang during the 1999 general election.

"I am not a petty person, I have the interest of the party in my heart."

He also declined comment on accusations that he is a weak leader, saying: "I don't think its proper for me to comment on myself".

Koh will be making his policy speech tomorrow morning when the party’s central delegates convene for the party’s 40th annual general meeting.