Former Gerakan deputy president Kerk Choo Ting should not be recommended to be dropped from his government position following his defeat in last month's party polls, said vice-president Dr S Vijayaratnam today.

"I think there should not be any major changes in the government position he is in now just because he has lost in the election," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Kerk ( left ) is currently the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry deputy minister.

Vijayaratnam said that not all Gerakan leaders were holding government posts despite holding high positions in the party.

He said as an example, Dr Lim Chong Eu, when he became the party president did not hold any ministerial position.

Personal opinion

Vijayaratnam was asked if the party's decision making body, the Central Committee (CC) would recommend Kerk to be dropped as deputy minister following his defeat for the top post on Aug 28.

"This is my personal opinion. However, the final decision is still up to the CC," he said

The party is expected to hold their first CC meeting after the party election next month. However no date has been fixed for the meeting.

The party polls, marred by mudslinging and personal attacks , saw Kerk take on veteran president Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

Lim defeated his deputy for 16 years by 355 votes. He polled 983 votes while Kerk managed to obtain 628 votes.