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No basis for MIPP to lead PN in Penang, says Gerakan chief

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Dominic Lau rubbishes suggestion by the Malaysian Indian Progressive Party, says Gerakan has experience in leading the state for almost four decades.

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Free Malaysia Today
Gerakan president Dominic Lau pointed out that the Penang chief minister’s post was held by two ex-party presidents over a span of 39 years previously.

KUALA LUMPUR:
Gerakan president Dominic Lau has rubbished a suggestion for the Malaysian Indian Progressive Party (MIPP) to lead Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Penang, saying his party is more experienced as it had previously governed the state.

Lau questioned the basis for the new party to take charge of PN in Penang.

“What is their basis in wanting to take over the lead in Penang? We (Gerakan) have been in Penang for a long time.

“Gerakan has been around for 58 years, and the post of Penang chief minister was held by the party for 39 years. So, we have a strong foundation there,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the party’s Chinese New Year open house at Menara PGRM here today.

Lim Chong Eu and Koh Tsu Koon, both former Gerakan presidents, held the Penang chief minister’s post from 1969 to 1990, and 1990 to 2008, respectively.

Lau also said that any talk of MIPP leading the coalition’s machinery was unlikely to materialise because “Gerakan is already here (in Penang)”.

On Sunday, MIPP president P Punithan said his party is open to discussions about assuming a leadership role in the Penang chapter following a report that the coalition plans to focus on Malay and Indian voters to secure a slim majority in the next state elections.

FMT had previously quoted a source as saying that PN acknowledges the struggle to capture Chinese voters in Penang, as its component Gerakan has struggled to gain their support in recent elections.

On the other hand, the source said the opposition coalition had noted a discernible shift in support among Penang’s Indian community, particularly at the Sungai Bakap by-election in July 2024.

However, Bersatu associate wing vice-chief R Sri Sanjeevan said that the decision on which component party should lead Penang must be left to the coalition’s leadership.

He stressed that PN makes decisions collectively and that it was not appropriate for any single party to claim leadership.

On a separate note, Lau said that Gerakan intends to contest two seats in the upcoming Sabah state elections and has identified potential candidates.

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