Gerakan was today asked about 'its membership' in Barisan Nasional when Prime Minister Najib Razak's is said to be supporting the 'racist Red Shirt' rally in Kuala Lumpur on September 16.
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Its president Mah Siew Keong said during a press conference in Penang, the party was doing much soul-searching and such matters need to be discussed with all levels of party leadership.
Unable to give his commitment to such questions, Mah said “we just want to be part of the solution and not the problem”.
The Federal minister admitted that Gerakan and BN were facing many challenges in the current political situation. He said the last two months were one of the “toughest” as there were many fronts to fights and a lot of explaining to do as there were many questions and much feedback from the grassroots.
He told the party delegates that he could not pretend that BN and the country were not facing many problems.
He did not identify the problems but it is believed among them, Mah was referring to the recent threats to the country's multi-racial fabric when pro-Umno supporters held a red shirt rally in Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Day, last Wednesday. The rally was dubbed as racist in nature as racial slurs were hurled at the non-Malay community by the protestors.
BN also faces intense criticism over Najib's handling of the debt-ridden 1MDB alleged financial scandal and the RM2.6 billion donation deposited in his private bank accounts before the 2013 national polls.
Mah even joked about BN problems, drawing laughing from the crowd: “Even during my surgery, the doctor was complaining that BN is very bad, I was so afraid that he would cut me deep”.
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In an emotional appeal to Penang Gerakan delegates, Mah warned of a "bigger Tsunami" which can wipe out BN in the coming national polls.
By Tsunami, he was referring to the support of the people to the opposition in the 2008 and 2013 national polls which led to Pakatan Rakyat winning the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor.
Mah said it was very important that BN leaders face the fact that the coalition had weaknesses and they must get their acts together. He urged BN component parties to show mutual respect for one another.
He said he had met many people during his trip around the country, adding that people are hurt by the current atmosphere of polarisation and politicking.
“We must acknowledge our mistakes, I am also part of BN,” he told about 200 delegates, during the event which was held at the party’s state headquarters along Jalan Macalister.
“We must change our attitudes and change the way we do things, we must get our acts in order or else there will be a bigger Tsunami, that is the truth.
“We still have time as the polls will not be called in one or two years yet, we have to work hard to improve our policies, if we do, I believe we have a chance. It is not easy to be a Gerakan member at this point because we are fighting for the truth,” said the Teluk Intan MP.
Unable to give his commitment to such questions, Mah said “we just want to be part of the solution and not the problem”.
The Federal minister admitted that Gerakan and BN were facing many challenges in the current political situation. He said the last two months were one of the “toughest” as there were many fronts to fights and a lot of explaining to do as there were many questions and much feedback from the grassroots.
He told the party delegates that he could not pretend that BN and the country were not facing many problems.
He did not identify the problems but it is believed among them, Mah was referring to the recent threats to the country's multi-racial fabric when pro-Umno supporters held a red shirt rally in Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Day, last Wednesday. The rally was dubbed as racist in nature as racial slurs were hurled at the non-Malay community by the protestors.
BN also faces intense criticism over Najib's handling of the debt-ridden 1MDB alleged financial scandal and the RM2.6 billion donation deposited in his private bank accounts before the 2013 national polls.
Mah even joked about BN problems, drawing laughing from the crowd: “Even during my surgery, the doctor was complaining that BN is very bad, I was so afraid that he would cut me deep”.
In an emotional appeal to Penang Gerakan delegates, Mah warned of a "bigger Tsunami" which can wipe out BN in the coming national polls.
By Tsunami, he was referring to the support of the people to the opposition in the 2008 and 2013 national polls which led to Pakatan Rakyat winning the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor.
Mah said it was very important that BN leaders face the fact that the coalition had weaknesses and they must get their acts together. He urged BN component parties to show mutual respect for one another.
He said he had met many people during his trip around the country, adding that people are hurt by the current atmosphere of polarisation and politicking.
“We must acknowledge our mistakes, I am also part of BN,” he told about 200 delegates, during the event which was held at the party’s state headquarters along Jalan Macalister.
“We must change our attitudes and change the way we do things, we must get our acts in order or else there will be a bigger Tsunami, that is the truth.
“We still have time as the polls will not be called in one or two years yet, we have to work hard to improve our policies, if we do, I believe we have a chance. It is not easy to be a Gerakan member at this point because we are fighting for the truth,” said the Teluk Intan MP.