Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong confirmed today that five Gerakan Youth leaders have resigned from their posts over differences with the wing’s chief Tan Keng Liang.

Nevertheless, Mah said, the five still remained as Youth central committee members.

The five are Youth vice-chairperson Lee Chen Peng, deputy secretary-generals Tang Luan Kang and Ooi Zhi Yi, deputy treasurer Chan Tzun Hei, and International NGO Bureau head Chong Chee Yen.

At the same time, Mah said his political secretary Ivanpal Singh Grewal also resigned as an appointed central committee member of Gerakan Youth, while his press secretary Lim Yen Leng gave up her post as a central committee member and publicity officer of Wanita Gerakan.

Ivanpal and Lim resigned on his advice, he said, so that they could concentrate on helping him in his party work.

He said this was also to avoid any misunderstanding that their statements reflected the Gerakan president’s stand.

Mah said some 50 Youth wing leaders and members met with him yesterday to discuss the resignation issue and ways to make Gerakan Youth move forward.

"For example, next week in our general assembly, we are going to announce about allowing women below 35 years to join Gerakan Youth. This is a good move," he told reporters.

Mah said he respected the decision of the five Youth leaders who resigned, saying that they just needed time to calm down.

"I think these young leaders need some time to calm down. I am confident it is not a big problem and I am confident we can all still work together," he added.