Despite a looming general election, Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon failed to drum up the spirit amongst unmotivated party delegates at the party conference today.

Speaking at the 40th Gerakan National Delegates Conference at the party headquarters, Koh tried to rally for delegates to defend their past “record” in Penang.

koh tsu koon "Gerakan fully recognises that Penang is our Ground Zero. We have been steadfastly defending our record," he said

His attempts to raise the battle cry contrasted starkly with the recently concluded MCA annual general meeting where president Chua Soi Lek had led party delegates in a continuous verbal assault against the opposition coalition.

However, Koh ( above ) did briefly take the opposition to task on the hudud controversy and Pakatan Rakyat's failure to form a proper shadow cabinet and put up a shadow budget.

"Key Pakatan leaders are beginning to show their true colours. This is especially true for the Penang Chief Minister who is obsessed with promoting himself by claiming undue credit and even disparaging others.

"Gerakan will continue to expose such discrepancies and deficiencies for the Pakatan," said Koh.

The embattled party president however failed to muster MCA’s offensive, instead turning inward to call for "continued renewal" of the party needed to remain relevant.

His speech was met with sparse applause from the floor with some delegates yawning over the party chief's speech.

Koh elusive on critics

Speculation was rife that Koh would make a major announcement today to quell dissent among party members, especially after Gerakan Wanita chief Tan Lian Hoe yesterday called for him to buck up or step down.

tan lian hoe gerakan wanita chief agm 2011 However, Koh stuck safely to his prepared speech, only digressing briefly to acknowledge Tan's attacks on him by repeating her words.

"I am aware that the general election is coming, and it is not only about the party's survival but it is also about BN's survival and Malaysia's survival."

For most part however he kept to his stance on several political, economic and education policies, urging Gerakan and the government to "walk the talk".

"So, let us continue to stand tall and steadfast to defend our record, to promote our ideology, to chart the future course for us and our country."