GERAKAN ELECTIONS: Positive end to jostling
- From: pluto <pluto@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 14:07:40 +0800
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/20050828082451/Article/indexb_html
GERAKAN ELECTIONS: Positive end to jostling
Comment by Chow Kum Hor
August 28:
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GERAKAN?S hotly-fought election yesterday for the party president?s post
may be a mere formality to some. To a large extent, however, it has brought
a positive effect to the long-drawn party succession issue.
>From the onset, Datuk Seri Kerk Choo Ting did not stand a chance against
Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, who has served as president for 25 years.
But in the end, it was not Dr Lim?s manoeuvring, nor his popularity that
did the Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister in. It was
the grassroots? rejection that sealed his fate.
For the 1,600-odd delegates, the party?s mantle has to go to someone more
dynamic who can push forward Gerakan?s Bangsa Malaysia agenda. That Gerakan
is not a large party compared with Umno and MCA made the need for a strong
president more apparent.
With Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon winning the deputy
president?s post unopposed, the party succession process is on track again.
Dr Lim, immediately after retaining the presidency, made it clear that Koh
would take over the top post, even before the present tenure expires in
three years.
A constitutional amendment is on the cards to ensure Koh?s smooth ascent
without the need to call for an election, as provided under present rules.
So will the party succession be smooth sailing now that the "right" people
are in place?
Yes, says Batu MP Ng Lip Yong, considering Kerk is now out of the picture.
He expects "adjustments" in the line-up as well as Gerakan?s
representatives in the Government.
But there are questions about how well Koh will fit into Dr Lim?s shoes.
Already, there is uneasiness over Koh?s reluctance to burn his bridges with
former mentor Kerk in the weeks leading to yesterday?s election.
The perception is that Dr Lim took the punches for what should have been Dr
Koh?s battle.
=======================================================
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/20050828082300/Article/indexb_html
GERAKAN ELECTIONS: ?No heartache over split votes?
KUALA LUMPUR, Sat
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There?s no heartache for Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, who found that almost
40 per cent of the Gerakan delegates who voted in the election today did
not support him.
He got 983 votes to 628 obtained by his challenger Datuk Seri Kerk Choo
Ting.
"It is a fair result," he said. "There is no heartache. After 16 years as
president, there are bound to be people who are unhappy with you.
"These include people who were not selected as candidates for the general
election and so on.
"Besides, Kerk, after 16 years as the deputy president, would get some
sympathy votes."
On whether Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is also Penang Chief Minister,
would need to come to the Federal level in taking over the presidency, Dr
Lim said it would be up to Dr Koh to decide. The central committee will
also look into whether to appoint Kerk as the party adviser and whether his
position as Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister would be
affected.
Dr Lim said the party would now focus on ensuring a smooth transition of
power to Dr Koh.
"Already, the thought of handing over (the party?s reins) has been playing
on my mind. I want to ensure smooth transfer to my anointed successor," he
said after the results were announced.
Dr Lim, who is the Energy, Water and Communications Minister, said he would
propose an amendment to the party constitution at next year?s National
Delegates? Conference.
The amendment would allow the deputy president to become the acting
president in the event the president resigns, dies or is sacked, provided
the president?s remaining tenure is less than half. "In other words, if I
resign as president after Feb 27, 2007, the deputy president automatically
becomes the acting president."
Dr Lim reiterated he would keep his word on stepping down.
========================================================
cheers
pluto
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