Q&A;

exclusive In the run-up to Gerakan's 14th national delegates conference on Sept 28 and 29 in Kuala Lumpur, malaysiakini speaks to its vice-president Koh Tsu Koon, who shares his thoughts on the party's future plans and the focus and challenges it faces to be the 'conscience' of Barisan Nasional.

Koh, who is the chief minister of Penang also shares his views about his post, which is said to be a 'jewel in the crown' for Gerakan and how he is confident that he will be able to defend his position for 'the sake of the state and its people'.

Malaysiakini : What are Gerakan's future plans? Is the party satisfied with having one stronghold, namely Penang or are there plans to spread its wings further?

Koh: We have been leading in Penang since 1969, for about 32 years, that is. We pride ourselves in having a tried and proven record together with the people here, especially in the economic front.

We are mindful of the great challenges ahead of us - such as the transition of Penang into K-economy, in respect to the Information Technology era. We have to handle and resolve rapid growth, the environment, waste management and traffic. All these great challenges have to be handled.

Our focus will be on meeting those challenges, exploring new areas and resolving problems. We have a daunting task ahead of us. For the past 30 years, we have gained the experience, connections and we have built the people's trust in us. However, more needs to be done in Penang. We have our shortcomings, we are not perfect.

What are the issues that Gerakan will be taking up come the party's national delegates conference this year?

We have many capable leaders in other states who will continue to take up local and national issues.

The national issues that we will deal with is related to the direction of the nation. We have two options - Barisan Nasional and Barisan Alternatif.

Understanding this, we want Malaysia to continue as a progressive, liberal and secular state as provided in the constitution with Islam as the official religion and religious freedom for the rest - or we can set on course for a theocratic state.

We are also concerned about the economic direction of the country. We now face keen competition from China, India and Indonesia (if it puts its house in order); these countries have ample labour supply. Therefore, our skills and technology must be upgraded. Not just Malaysians, but Singaporeans are feeling the pinch as well.

Gerakan now has its hands full - we are committed and want to concentrate on the economic development of Penang.

Do you see any threats from the seemingly growing popularity of the opposition?

The BA is cracking-up because it has no common ideological stand. It has now two divergent views in PAS and DAP. Without a common stand for elections, even to its supporters, the opposition front would not be viable. Although BN may not be perfect, it is still the best option.

How well has Gerakan played the role of the 'conscience' of BN since it joined the coalition?

I need to correct this perception that Gerakan 'joined' the BN. The truth is, we participated and are founding members of the coalition. At the beginning and for a short period, it was the MCA which refused to join the BN.

At that time, our party under the leadership of Lim Chong Eu, came to a conclusion that after the May 13 racial riots that it is better to play a role from within - at the federal level, not only in Penang. Since then we have been described as the 'conscience' of the BN.

We voice our views and make concrete proposals within the cabinet, state executive committees and various government organisations like the municipal councils and working committees. We want to play a positive role and promote the concept of Malaysian nationalism, humanism and democracy. So far we have played a quiet role but now and then we have made our stand public.

Do you face problems with the other coalition partners, namely Umno and MCA, while going about your tasks of being the 'conscience' ?

Within Gerakan we practise democracy as long as opinions voiced are within the ideological direction of the party. Although they may be differences, we allow as much democratic space as possible. However, when our central committee meets and arrives at a position, we expect most of our leaders to support that stand. When we allow such freedom and democracy, we do not mean anarchy.

The BN is a coalition of parties, views and communities but we share a basic set of policies and political lines. In BN, we share a common stand.

How would you describe your relationship with MCA?

Gerakan has taken a stand to work with all parties. After all a coalition is as strong as its weakest link. We take a positive stand unlike certain strategies by certain leaders of the MCA.

For example, from 1990 to 1995, during my first term, when MCA did not have a single representative in the state government - only Umno and Gerakan won seats then - I was very supportive of MCA and MIC.

In our efforts to gain lost ground, I did not reduce the number of MCA representatives in the municipal council and working committees with some exceptions where older members passed away or where there were local leaders who were a bit aggressive. Other than this, it is not our policy to take advantage of others. In the final analysis, it is the BN and people who will lose out.

You will also notice that I do not reply to accusations and I do not attack. If any component party wants to revive itself, work hard and add strength to BN, I fully support it. However, members get upset when there is a concerted effort to run down Gerakan, the state government and its members.

Whenever there are problems, it is always the Gerakan-led state government or Gerakan chief minister that is targeted or blamed. But when there is credit to be gained, we are said to be in a coalition, we have a collective leadership etc.

I do not mind if they criticise our policies but do not attack the party. We accept criticism, after all and we also openly criticise government policies at times.

Many of the problems between Gerakan and MCA is said to be due to the Penang chief minister's post considered as the 'jewel in the crown'. What is your comment?

We do not see the CM's position as a 'jewel in the crown'. Gerakan looks at the post as a mandate. It is a heavy responsibility and we will continue to perform. We have been given the mandate by the BN and we will try our very best.

I am not obsessed with this position. It is not for personal gain or party interest. If we look at it from this angle, we will only give the impression that all BN is interested in it to grab power. If you apply the same principles, at let's say the federal level then if you perform well, you can demand for more minister posts. Why focus in Penang?

Our Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that BN is a coalition before elections, not after. Seat allocations must be agreed upon even after elections. Otherwise, if the number of seats changes based on the number of seats won after every election, there is bound to occur a situation where component parties will pull each other's hind legs or try to sabotage each other.

This will not happen in Penang alone but at the federal level also. Just look what is happening in the BA - they are quarreling even before they win any seats.

Speculation is rife that you will be relocated to a federal minister's position. Is this true? How do you feel about this?

This issue was never raised by anyone, not even by me. My sole focus now is to try my very best for Penang. It is the opinion of some party leaders that the speculation was generated by some quarters who want me to leave Penang as soon as possible.

However, I would like to focus on the task given to me. I have been given the mandate by the people to concentrate on that. Although I strategise for BN and Gerakan, I do not scheme for my own position and I do not want to speculate. I have been in politics for 20 years, I know that the more one schemes, there will be more trouble.

How do you manage the various people representatives' - you not only have the DAP and MCA, you have Keadilan and Umno as well.

These challenges are normal for a politician. When I first took over in October 1990, they said I will not even last 100 days. At that time, out of 33 seats there were 14 opposition members. DAP (national chairperson) Lim Kit Siang was one of them - so I have been through more grilling periods.

I take every criticism and political manoeuvring in its own merit. I welcome it and accept it. Criticism is a matter of opinion in a democratic society. If the criticism is baseless, I will clarify if necessary.

After all, within the BN, Gerakan also dishes out criticisms now and then but we do it in a positive and constructive manner. We do not attack personally or along partisan lines like for example, something is bad because it is done by Umno.

Gerakan seems to be publicity shy. How does the party survive with limited publicity and press coverage?

Yes, we seem to be publicity shy but we believe in solid work. We believe in delivering results, solving problems and after achieving something, we move on. Sometimes we overlook the need for publicity. Sometimes we do realise there are occasions for greater and better publicity so that people can be informed. It is not that we want to withhold information from the people.

But don't you think such limited information may only lead people to think that the state government is not being transparent about its plans and deals?

No. Whenever we clinch an investment, we leave it to the company to make the announcement. We understand that the company may take some time for example with Mida (Malaysian Industrial Development Authority) applications.

The investor may also be facing other competitors and do not want their strategic moves to be known to other investors we have invited to Penang or Malaysia. So when they have confirmed everything, we let them make the announcement. It is not correct for us to claim the credit for ourselves.

Whenever there is bad news, for example a factory plans to offer a voluntary separation scheme or retrenchment, we cannot announce it immediately. We will try and convince the companies to reduce or avoid retrenchment or adopt an alternative arrangement.

With reference to media coverage, has the Nanyang-China Press takeover by MCA affected Gerakan's coverage in the Chinese media?

We are still monitoring this matter. I do not want to comment yet but I would like to say that it is not that there is no coverage for us, but the way the story is conveyed or spun - this has been made public by our president Lim Keng Yaik but it has been made to sound as if we are complaining there is no coverage for us in the media.

Anyway, our support, sincerity, integrity and quality service will be known by the people through word of mouth and direct contact. After all, we cannot control all press.