Gerakan deputy president calls for PN components to meet

Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong has called for all component parties of Perikatan Nasional to meet amid tensions between his party and coalition ally PAS.

In a statement, Oh (above) made a distinction between Gerakan joining PN and it joining PN’s component parties.

“Therefore, on any issue, we stick to the party’s (Gerakan) views and stance, and do not necessarily accept the thoughts or actions of the component parties fully and wholly,” he said.

The two alliance partners have been at loggerheads over matters pertaining to the role of brewery companies in facilitating fundraising events for Chinese schools.

Before that, they also clashed over the gambling ban issue in Kedah.

Oh added that he is responsible for defending the party as one of its members.

Defending rights of all races

He also commented on a statement he made on July 28, saying it was meant to defend the rights of all races.

“My statement is based on the principles of justice and truth upheld by the party to defend the basic rights of all races,” he said.

Earlier, he said Gerakan would not hesitate to leave PN if it meant defending the Chinese education system.

He was responding to condemnation from PAS leaders such as its information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, while the party mouthpiece Harakahdaily deemed Gerakan’s stance to be the same as DAP’s.

At the same time, Johor Gerakan Youth said it would freeze relations with state PAS Youth with immediate effect.

According to Oriental Daily News, Johor Gerakan Youth chief Teo Jin Wei said this will continue until the Islamist party apologises to the Chinese community and withdraws its statements on the school fundraising issue.

Cooperation will be considered after that, he added.

PAS’ interference shows limited knowledge

Teo explained that defending the Chinese education system is one of Gerakan’s goals as the party prioritises the interests of all Malaysians.

He also expressed his belief that PAS has gone to extremes over racial and religious issues.

He said PAS’ interference in Chinese education issues shows its limited knowledge on the matter, leading to statements that make the ethnic Chinese community uncomfortable.

“Gerakan, as a party for Malaysians, aims to build a harmonious Malaysia, and thus will not allow any individuals or political figures to cause disruptions,” he said.

Last Saturday, former education minister Maszlee Malik called for Aiman’s resignation as Sepang MP as well as Amanah women’s chief after the latter’s attendance at a charity event organised by SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Selangor.

Controversy broke out after Tiger Beer was found to be involved in supporting the event.

The issue went viral after a photo of Aiman holding the mock cheque with Tiger Beer’s logo made its rounds on social media. Her presence at the charity event was heavily criticised by PAS.

Aiman has since apologised to those who may have felt slighted by her holding the mock cheque.

She also lashed out at her detractors over her participation in the event, labelling them as “hypocrites”.

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