In one of its most anxious bids to shore up support for the party ahead of the 13th general election, Gerakan has thrown open its doors to ex-party members.

NONE Speaking to a 300-strong crowd at a dinner last night, secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow paid tribute to veteran leaders by thanking them for their contributions to Gerakan.

In the crowd was founding member Tan Gim Hwa, who was dropped when he fell out with former chief minister and Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon in the late 1990s.

Chang Yeow, also the Penang BN head, invited the silver-haired Tan to return to Gerakan, to loud applause.

He urged all division leaders to ensure that their members and supporters vote for BN candidates.

"In these constituencies, 20-25 percent of the voters comprise our supporters, and if all of them vote for BN, I don't see why we cannot win the seats," he said.

"If all of us move together in one direction, I don't see why we cannot make it. We must focus on what we have set out to do. Gerakan is here to stay, we are not going to be buried. But we will bury those who did try to bury us in 2008.

"Now that is all in the past. But we need you to be with us. Each and everyone of you is an important asset, so are the veterans, we need you with us as well.”

Gerakan plans to contest 13 seats in Penang as in 2008. Umno may contest 15, while MCA 10 and MIC two seats. They face DAP (19), PKR (16) and PAS (1).

NONE The event, which included the unveiling of the party logo and renewed calls for satu hati (one heart), was opened by veteran leader Khoo Kay Poh and state Gerakan chief Dr Teng Hock Nan (centre in photo) .

Hock Nan advised members to put aside any personal conflicts and think of the bigger picture.

"This is a very critical moment for the party. If everyone have the spirit of satu hati , we are halfway there already," he said to cheers.

Most division leaders were present and Hock Nan too asked the crowd to applaud them.

Invitation ‘unexpected’

Met after the event, Gim Hwa said he had not expected Teng's invitation and that he would take some time to consider it.

He said he was driven to the dinner by a party supporter and was quite surprised when he heard Teng's invitation.

NONE "It has been a long time since I've been involved in politics. My wife would not be too happy if I get too involved," he said.

"I only keep up with current issues as I don't like what is happening under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's administration.”

Gim Hwa was issued with a show-cause letter in 1999  over an internal conflict with Koh. When he failed to respond within two weeks, the party dropped him.

Hock Nan said this was not considered a sacking, and that the party had left the case "hanging" when Gim Hwa did not respond to the letter.

NONE Gim Hwa’s son, Nibong Tebal MP Tee Beng (right) , had been sacked in 2000 and joined PKR, only to leave unhappily in 2009.

Tee Beng became an Independent MP in 2011. He joined Parti Kita, but was later booted out by the leadership.

In the 2008 general election, Gim Hwa and his supporters reportedly threw their support behind the DAP, which together with PAS and PKR, captured Penang.

Gim Hwa and his son cannot see eye to eye with Koh, who is not expected to be happy with Chang Yeow's move to bring the duo back into the Gerakan fold.

But Chang Yeow said he would deal with Koh should any issue arise.

As to whether the party will accept Tee Beng, Chang Yeow said: "Our doors are always open to those who share our principles.”

It is learnt that Tee Beng is vying for the Komtar state seat , which is held by Ng Wei Aik.

He is on friendly terms with state Gerakan Youth leaders and may have support should he contest the election.