Although claiming to be a multiracial party, Gerakan leaders seem unable to keep ethnicity out of their campaigns.

"I am from a Chinese education background whereas she is English educated. She does not know the history of Chinese educationists joining political parties."

This verbal salvo came from Gerakan Wanita chief candidate Surin Leong in referring to her rival Tan Lian Hoe.

Interestingly, the former head of the wing Rina Bhar was not only a non-Chinese but English educated as well.

In an interview with malaysiakini yesterday, Leong also advised her challenger to brush-up on her Mandarin for another two or three years before harbouring ambitions of becoming a national leader.

"Then only she can react fast when the Chinese community faces critical issues," she said.

Trilingual education

According to her, the most significant difference between them is their respective educational backgrounds.

Leong also claimed that she had better political sense and another advantage was her proficiency in three languages.

"I received a trilingual education since young and have been reading newspapers in three languages. Hence I can understand the feelings of all the races," she said.

She said Tan's language barrier would prevent her from understanding the issues concerning the Chinese community.

"She can't understand Chinese dailies and just started to learn Mandarin," she added.

According to Leong, 90 percent of party members speak Mandarin and the language is a necessity for the leaders.

She also pointed out that her rival joined the party much later than her.

In retrospect, Leong said she joined the party together with presidential candidate Kerk Choo Ting, vice-president Dr Koh Tsu Koon and other Chinese educationists in 1982.

"So we understand how important Kerk's contest is to the leadership and direction of the party, and we support him," she added.

Kerk, who has been deputy president for 16 years, had caught many by surprise when he announced that he will challenge long-term incumbent Dr Lim Keng Yaik for the top post.

Fissures appeared between the two over the issue of succession as Lim prefers Koh to take over after he steps down.

Both Kerk and Koh were closely associated with the Dong Jiao Zong Chinese education movement.

Recognised leader

Responding to Leong, her challenger said her ability to converse in basic Mandarin was sufficient to communicate with the members.

"A person with a good command of three languages may not necessarily be the best person to lead the wing," added Tan when contacted.

According to her, she has the support of the grassroots because she is a member of parliament (Bukit Gantang) and this platform can be used to further women's issues.

On Leong' seniority assertion, Tan said she has been with the party for 10 years and participated actively in its projects and gained recognition for this.

"I think the qualifications for a good leader are the capability to lead, able to go down to the grassroots, warm and friend as well as move around," she added.

The election for the wanita wing will take place tomorrow.