Internal discord within Gerakan, is Gerakan leaving after all?

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Andy Tan Hum Wei questioned if deputy president Oh Tong Keong’s threat to have the party withdraw from Perikatan Nasional (PN) over the Chinese schools fundraising controversy represents the party’s official position.

“Firstly, I would like to ask him whether this is the party’s official stance or just his personal opinion.

“To my knowledge, no senior leader in the party has signalled anything about this in any party meeting, ” he said in a Facebook post.

He was responding to Oh’s recent comments suggesting that Gerakan might leave PN if member parties persist in promoting religious extremism and violating non-Muslims’ rights.

He said Oh’s statement is very serious and has affected the relationship among the coalition parties.

“We at the grassroots level deal with members from coalition parties daily.

“Bersatu and PAS are questioning the legitimacy and direction of our party.

“I hope my question will be answered,” he added.

Gerakan is part of the PN coalition, alongside Bersatu, Pas, SAPP, and MIPP.

“Although I strongly disagree, if this is indeed the party’s decision, I will accept it,” he said.

“However, if it is not, I hope my question will be answered: is this the party’s decision or not?” Tan further asked.

“Oh is also a member of the PN Supreme Council. Has this issue ever been discussed and agreed upon in that forum, or does he have his own agenda?” Tan asked.

Oh’s statement comes in the wake of recent conflicts between Pas and Gerakan leaders over the issue of vernacular schools accepting donations from a brewery.

In response, Pas vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah reportedly indicated that Gerakan is free to exit PN if they choose to do so.

Meanwhile, Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has hinted that there might be a rift between his party and Gerakan in the next general election.