The Gerakan general assembly this weekend will discuss the merger between Gerakan Youth and the Beliawanis, which is a special bureau under the Gerakan Wanita for young women under the age of 35.

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said the merger was aimed at creating gender balance and changing the public perception that Gerakan Youth was only meant for young men.

“Besides, it will also encourage more young women to join the party, hence strengthening the young people's support for Gerakan and Barisan Nasional,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Tan said the proposal on the merger was first submitted during Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong’s tenure as the Youth chief from 2005 to 2008.

“However, it cannot be approved then due to protests from several members of the central executive committee,” he said.

He said to merge the two entities, Gerakan Youth needed only the approval from Wanita and the party’s central executive committee without having to amend the party’s constitution.

“Under the leadership of Mah as the party president, the proposal was approved by the Gerakan central committee, Wanita and Youth last August,” he said.

Tan said although the proposal had been approved, the merger could only be done officially at the party’s general assembly scheduled to be held this weekend.

“With this merger, however, members of Beliawanis can be active in Youth, while at the same time can still participate in activities organised by Wanita. So, they will contribute to both wings,” he said.

The Gerakan Youth and Wanita Assemblies will be held simultaneously on Saturday (Oct 18), while the party’s general assembly will be held on Sunday (Oct 19) at the Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam.

- Bernama