Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today gave Barisan Nasional (BN) ‘do-or-die’ tasks - allow Gerakan to pull out of the ruling coalition or review its policy on race-based parties.

lim guan eng Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, the DAP leader said BN has to either admit or deny the statement made by Gerakan Wanita chief Tan Lian Hoe.

Yesterday, Tan suggested that Gerakan withdraw from BN, citing that Umno has been practicing racial politics that hurt the sentiments of non-Malays and non-Muslims.

"BN has to do two things. To deny the statement made by Gerakan and allow them to leave. Or number two, admit what Gerakan said is true and review its policy so that it caters for all.

"Not only for one (race), not only for one religion, it should go for everyone. I would like to say that the time has come for Malaysia to resolve this," said Lim.

He pointed out that Tan’s statement also indicated that he ruling coalition was ‘still living in the past’.

"BN can talk about multiracialism, multiculturilism as well as democracy but they do not practice what they preach," he said.

Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon has dismissed the possibility of leaving BN.

Commenting on this, Lim said: "When they pull in opposite directions, what's going to happen in the middle is whether you stand or you break."

'Oct is too late'

lim kit siang 02 In a separate press conference in Parliament today, Lim’s father and Ipoh Timur MP Kit Siang also agreed with his son.

He said that Gerakan should make their decision immediately on whether or not to stay in BN.

Yesterday, another Gerakan leader - vice-president and Perak chief Chan Ko Youn - had urged the state’s delegates to raise the 'pull out' agenda at the national party meeting in October.

However, Kit Siang said the issue should be resolved sooner.

The veteran politician also urged Gerakan and other BN coalition parties to take a stand against a BN campaign banner used during the Permatang Pauh by-election nomination day last Saturday which stated: "Melayu ditindas, di mana keadilan," (Malays are being sidelined, where is justice?").

"They cannot wait until October, I call on Gerakan, MCA, MIC, and the moderate leaders in Umno to take a stand in the by-election in Permatang Pauh on whether we should continue with this communist, chauvinist lines for Malays to unite," he said.

He also said that all Malaysians and not only one race must unite. "But in the last five to six months, what has been preoccupying Umno leaders is for Malays to unite."