Bersatu leader questions Gerakan's relevance after Lau raised GE16 alarm

A Bersatu leader has questioned Gerakan's relevance after the latter urged Perikatan Nasional to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the trend of Malay votes shifting towards Umno.

According to Bersatu Federal Territories state secretary Mahathir Mohd Rais, Gerakan is least qualified to talk about voter support when the party has consistently been sidelined in national politics.

"One has to ask: Is Gerakan, a party that has been on the decline for over a decade, in any position to critique its coalition partners? And does Gerakan even have the credibility to speak on Malay voting trends when it struggles to maintain relevance in any voter demographic?

"Gerakan’s failure to secure a voter base, particularly among the Chinese, has been glaring when compared to the overwhelming success of DAP, which has solidified its dominance among Chinese voters by positioning itself as a credible alternative to Gerakan or MCA," Mahathir said in a statement today.

Mahathir was commenting on Gerakan president Dominic Lau's caution to PN against resting on its laurels when Umno managed to win in two subsequent by-elections.

Lau said a comprehensive study of the trend of Malay votes shifting towards Umno in the Nenggiri and Mahkota by-elections would be crucial in preparing for the next general election.

‘Almost nothing’

Elaborating, Mahathir said Gerakan has done "almost nothing" to rebuild itself after its fall from grace, and the party must first acknowledge that it is no longer a contender in the local political arena.

Mahathir added that Gerakan has also done very little to contribute to PN's success.

"The party holds no parliamentary seats and hasn’t made any significant electoral breakthroughs since its fall from grace. Gerakan’s departure from BN in 2018 did not spark a revival, nor did its entry into PN give it the boost it so desperately needed.

"So, what exactly does Gerakan bring to PN? The party’s lack of influence is crystal clear, especially compared to Bersatu and PAS, which have strong grassroots support and electoral machinery. If Gerakan has been largely invisible within PN, what right does it have to critique the coalition’s performance?"

Selective outrage

Mahathir further accused Lau of practising "selective outrage" by suddenly focusing on Malay voting trends, when he barely made any noise after PN won the Sungai Bakap by-election with a strong margin of votes.

"Is Gerakan genuinely concerned about PN’s prospects, or is this an attempt to shift attention away from its own lack of progress?

"Gerakan cannot cherry-pick issues to suit its narrative, especially when it has contributed so little to PN's overall performance."

According to Mahathir, Lau's concerns about Malay votes are also unfounded as the singular "Malay vote" cannot be easily categorised.

He noted that voting behaviours differ across regions and constituencies, influenced by various factors, including local issues, candidate strength, and state government controls.

"Gerakan’s narrow focus on recent losses overlooks the fact that the Malay electorate is and always has been, divided.

"Moreover, the shift towards BN in recent by-elections is not a new phenomenon. Malay voting patterns have always been fluid, and Umno’s rebuilding efforts, along with PN’s weakened appeal, are key factors behind this trend," said Mahathir.

Address own failures first

Rather than being an armchair critic, Gerakan needs to work hard to reconnect with voters, he added.

"Lau's concerns may hold some merit, but Gerakan is in no position to offer critiques without first addressing its own failures.

“Since 2008, the party has been on a downward spiral, unable to regain its footing in Penang, national politics, or even within PN.

"Without decisive action to revitalise Gerakan, your party will continue to be viewed as political baggage - a burden that PN may soon find no reason to carry."

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