Gerakan yesterday urged the media not to report on sensitive news, especially racial issues raised by political leaders and members.  

 

Party vice-president A Kohilan Pillay said this suggested measure was to prevent sensitive issues from being sensationalised and causing adverse reaction from the public.  

 

"We urge the media not to give publicity to those who made racial remarks because when this happens, it is like we're making them heroes while we should be saying 'no' to such sensitive statements."  

 

Kohilan ( right ) said this in response to questions from delegates who debated on Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong's policy speech at the party's National Delegates Conference, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.  

 

In his speech, Mah had said that Gerakan leaders and members who uttered racial remarks could face stern action including sacking.  

 

Kohilan said the media should understand their responsibilities, as media influence could have a good or bad impact on society.  

 

Mah, in his winding-up speech, said Gerakan wanted the Sedition Act 1948 to be repealed and replaced by the National Harmony Act as it believed that the new act would have many positives.  

 

He said Gerakan would also propose to the government to obtain feedblack from all quarters first before introducing the National Harmony Act.  

 

Speaking to reporters after the conference, Mah ( left ) said Gerakan would present a complete and comprehensive plan to win over the people of Penang in the next general election, as suggested by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

 

"We took his (Najib) advice. I will work with Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow, who is also state Barisan Nasional chairman, and hopefully by next year, we will come out with a complete plan on our strategies," he said.  

 

Mah said it was important for Gerakan to win seats in the Penang state assembly as the party aimed to be the voice of the "rakyat" (people).  

 

The 43rd Gerakan National Delegates Conference which began on Friday and which gathered over 1,000 delegates, ended in Shah Alam yesterday.  

- Bernama

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