Newly-minted Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong said he would waste no time in getting down to work on reviving the party.

He said the newly-elected office bearers also needed to hit the ground running, including in terms of consolidating unity among party members.

mah siew keong elected gerakan chief 2013-16 In his immediate reaction after the announcement of the results of party polls at Menara PGRM here today, Mah acknowledged that the 45-year-old party faced more challenges now than ever, especially in light of its poor showing in the past two general elections.

"Of course, this is not an easy burden. But I think if we work together as a team, we can bring the party up again.

"There are a lot of things that we want to do. After two defeats, we admit that we've weaknesses (to overcome)," he told reporters.

gerakan egm 261013 01 Mah clinched the party's top post after defeating Penang Gerakan chairperson Teng Chang Yeow with a 509-vote majority. Mah, the former party secretary-general, secured 1,086 votes while Teng managed to garner only 577 votes.

Mah said he would appoint Teng as a central committee member to allow him to play a bigger role in national politics.

"He (Teng) has agreed that we work together to make sure that Penang delivers good results in the next round," he said.

Asked whether he would implement his manifesto of limiting the party president's term to a maximum of two terms, Mah said the matter would need approval from the party's decision-making body.

Time to consolidate, says Teng

Meanwhile, Teng told reporters that he accepted the outcome of the polls for the sake of Gerakan's unity.

"It's time to consolidate. When we're up, don't be too happy, when we lose, don't be too sad," he said.

gerakan egm 261013 teng chang yeow congrate mah siew keong Meanwhile, the delegates conference passed a 15-point declaration which aimed to rejuvenate the party in line with its new slogan of 'A new way, a new hope and a new Gerakan'.

In the declaration, the party declared a break with the past and welcomed the birth of a new Gerakan that would effectively represent and serve the people, articulate their concerns as well as formulate and implement pragmatic and viable solutions.

It also called for continued practice of moderation, urging all political parties to entrench themselves in the political centre and cease the fanning of racial and religious sentiments.

The spirit of Rukunegara should be rekindled, reaffirmed, re-emphasised, practised and internalised by all Malaysians, said the document.

It also called for the Federal Constitution to be appreciated in its totality and in a comprehensive and inclusive manner, and to be upheld, defended and fairly implemented.

In addition, Gerakan urged the police to ensure equal enforcement of the law and prosecute any organisation or individual that threatened peace, harmony and stability, hence restoring public confidence in the force.

- Bernama