Describing him as a 'failed' leader, Perak Gerakan today called on deputy president Kerk Choo Ting to withdraw from contesting the presidency in this Saturday's party polls.

Its chairperson Chang Ko Youn claimed that Kerk was not qualified to contest given his failure to lead the party in Perak and at the Taiping division.

"For nine years he led Perak Gerakan, that is for three terms from 1996 till 2005... he has been tested for nine years as state leader and has failed as a politician, and now he wants to challenge the president," he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Chang said members were already given a chance to assess his performance and contributions and make comparisons with other leaders including incumbent president Dr Lim Keng Yaik who led the state Gerakan from 1974 till 1986.

He also alleged that Kerk's "leadership style was not to strengthen the party but cause damage. His character and his ways were not friendly, there was no communication, cooperation, consultation and coordination, causing the Perak Gerakan to suffer a breakdown".

He also claimed that Kerk failed as the head at the state level and his decision to challenge Lim could be read as asking delegates to do something cruel and unfair by rejecting a leader such who had proven to be successful.

Chang, who is contesting for vice presidency, also regretted actions by some candidates and their agents who resorted to dirty tactics during their campaign.

"There are also those who campaigned by phoning delegates and made various promises of party and government positions if they are elected. These are dirty tactics, let the delegates choose their candidates based on merit," he said.

He said there were also attempts to threaten candidates who were in the race for key posts, that their positions in the party or government would be jeopardised if they win in the coming polls.

Baseless allegation

On Kerk terming Lim as a dictator and likening him to Mao Zedong, Chang said the allegation was baseless towards a president, who is best known for his team spirit.

"How could he (Kerk) have worked under Keng Yaik for 23 years and now calls him a dictator. This means he enjoys his position under a dictator," he said.

Perak Gerakan Wanita Chief Tan Lian Hoe also did not mince her words when commenting on the coming contest.

She said Kerk's statements were reflective of a 'coward' leader.

She added that Kerk who became Taiping member of Parliament from 1990 to 2004 had shifted his "problems" to Gerakan and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2004 general election.

The Gerakan and BN election machinery faced campaign hurdles when voters showed their anger as they were disappointed in the former MP, she said.

Tan, who will be in the running for Gerakan Wanita chief, also alleged that Kerk 's unfriendly behaviour and insensitive attitude towards voters, by taking care of his cronies only, were the root causes of the problem.

She also claimed that Kerk was not friendly towards state committee members as well as the community at the grassroots level, and it was not surprising that he was named a "Touch n Go" leader.