Party rejuvenation campaign launched by Gerakan “萬眾一心，從心出發”

Being led by the Acting National President Sdra Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Gerakan has launched a party rejuvenation campaign, with the new slogan “Forward Together with One Heart” (or "Satu Hati Gerak Bersama" in bahasa malaysia), in its bid to rebound in mainstream politics and to regain people’s confidence. With 40 years of experience in politics, the party is believed to be able to reboot its system of ideas and ideals.

It has outlined three thrusts, namely to voice Gerakan’s ideology, policy position and advocate Malaysian solutions for various major issues, to rebuild, rebrand and re-empower the party at all levels, and to regain people’s confidence.

The campaign also charts out the direction of the multi-ethnic part.

民政黨代主席丹斯里許子根推介黨的新口號...

“萬眾一心，從心出發”

民政黨從心出發並不是從零開始，而是從過去40年創黨豐富的經驗及所累積的歷練做為基礎，再次出發；而從心出發的“心”有特別意義，即有決心、信心及愛心。

民政黨的願景是成為全體馬來西亞人屬意的政黨。

Party Election for Tanjung Youth

Dear All Ketua Pemuda Cawangan (Branch Youth Chairmen),

Tanjung Divisional Youth Election Supervisory Committee (DYESC) is pleased confirm the following dates for your futher action:-

1. Notice of Branch Youth AGM - Must be sent out before 1 June 2008.

2. All Nomination form(s) - Must be submitted to the DYESC, at Gerakan Tanjung Activity Centre (354-G-3, Gat Lebuh Macallum, Penang) on 8 June 2008 (Sun), from 10am-12noon.

3. All Branch Youth AGMs - Must be held on 15 June 2008 (Sun). The venue and time are to be decided and arranged by the respective Branch Youth Chairmen.

For any further clarification or information, kindly contact the Divisional Youth Chairman, Sdra Oh Tong Keong (HP: 012-482 9126) or Divisional Youth Secretary, Sdra H'ng Khoon Leng (HP: 019-417 8718).

Your kind co-operation and understanding will be highly appreciated.

Satu Hati!!!

Top Leader, Who's your Branch Youth Chairman???

Top Leaders at Gerakan have been emphasizing on the importance of young generation in the party, as they're seen the Leaders of the future or the future of the party. Of course, the main objective is to encourage the formation of Youth wings in the party, at all levels including Branch, Division, State etc.

Many branches, which are led by the respective Top Leaders in Penang have had the Youth wings, those include Sdra Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Sdra Chia Kwang Chye, Sdra Teng Chang Yeow ones. But, how about the rest???

For those Top Leaders, who DO NOT have any Youth wings at your respective branches, please exercise the "Leadership by Example" and duly form your Youth as soon as possible! We shall be very glad to know who's your Branch Youth Chairman?

Reminder: See you at St Joseph's Home

In respond to the said charity-event, many Gerakan Tanjung Youth Committee have generously contributed to the pool of funds, are of the desire to make the "boy-boy" and "girl-girl" felt warm and concern from the general public, including the Youth of Gerakan.

As of 17 May 2008, the list is as follows:-

Sdra Oh Tong Keong - 200.00
Sdra Chang Kah Loon - 200.00
Sdra Teoh Teik Yew - 200.00
Sdra Lim Eng Wah - 200.00
Sdra Jeffery Koay Kai Chin - 100.00
Sdra Eric Ciah Cheng Gin - 100.00

Sdra Jason Chia Yit Wah - 100.00
Sdra H'ng Khoon Leng - 50.00
Sdra Edmund Foo Siang Yew - 50.00
Sdra Daniel Por Sim Peng - 50.00
Sdra Khaw Kheng Keat - 50.00

Sdra Koay Eng Joo - 50.00

Sdra Ng Song Kheng - 50.00
Sdra Tan Chooi Leng - 50.00
Sdra Henry Oh Beng Hai - 50.00
Sdra Byron Lee Yeat Hwang - 50.00
Sdra Chang Yeong Shen - 50.00
Sdra Tan Kah Leong - 50.00
Sdra Tan Siew Hock - 50.00
Sdra Khor Kai Ee - 50.00
Sdra Kuan Tat Seng - 50.00
Sdra Wong Beng Keong - 50.00
Sdra Edwin Tan Li Kiat - 20.00
Sdra Chen Wooi Hean - 20.00
Sdra Ooi Kim Yew - 20.00
Sdra Calvin Ong Koong Chin - 20.00
Sdra Ooi Peng Seng - 20.00

Of course, the list is not final and there are many others wanting to contribute their share, too.

See you on 24 May 2008 (Saturday) at St Joseph' s Home (Penang Road) at 7pm.

What is "Multiracial"?

A simple defination for "Multiracial" is not other than consisting of or relating to people of many races. In Malaysia, Malay, Indian and Chinese are the major divisions of humankind, having distinct physical characteristics, who're preferably be addressed as "Malaysians".

Obviously, after the recent General Election (8 March 2008), almost all Malaysians particularly those Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have been emphasizing on the importance of Multiracial political parties, in this connection, they have, by some means, claimed they're having "Truth" multiracial concept? and have undisguisedly criticized Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties especially Gerakan for NOT having a "Truth" multiracial exercise!?

Of course, under normal circumstances, we Gerakan prefer a "multiracial mechanism", but in some way the condition does not permit the "desire" to be so perfect! It could be due to various unwanted reasons, for example unbalanced number of enrolment of some races? the level of dedication? the degree of commitment? frequency of involvement in activity? personality? etc.

I would like to stress on a point that NOT only Gerakan is facing such unbalanced multiracialism in leadership or allocation of assignment for MP/ADUN candidacy, but even PR member parties DAP, PKR and PAS face the same momentum!!!???

I believe most of the Malaysians would agree to the following...

UMNO - Of course, for Malay.
MCA - Of course, for Chinese.
MIC - Of course, for Indian.
PAS - Of course, for Malay.

Gerakan - Supposed to be Multiracial, but it's somehow led by Chinese.
PPP - Supposed to be Multiracial, but it's somehow led by Indian.
PKR - Supposed to be Multiracial, but it's somehow led by Malay.
DAP - Supposed to be Multiracial, but it's somehow led by Chinese.

So, what is the difference?

PKR and DAP are Multiracial in principle, but NOT in reality!!!

Anyway, why do we want to worry about this?

Whether Malay or Indian or Chinese in Malaysia, we 're "Malaysian". This is only ONE race!!!

So, please DO NOT simply create "Topics" for any "Political Agenda"!!! or one's interest!!!

Importantly, please DO NOT "force"... it's NOT advisable to simply appoint or assign just because we want a "Multiracial" party?!

Regards.

Oh Tong Keong MCMI

Dinner with Boy-Boy & Girl-Girl of St. Joseph's Home

Date: 24 May 2008 (Saturday)

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: St. Joseph's Home

民政党丹绒区部青年团订于2008年5月24日(星期六)晚上七时卅分,前往槟城圣约瑟孤儿院(St. Joseph's Home )设自由餐款待该院所有成员.

此项活动工委会主席陈立毅表示,此次慈善活动得到理事们及社会热心人士的捐助经费,当晚除了自由餐款待外,同时现场将呈献魔术表演,多姿多彩娱兴节目,来配合此次慈善活动.

民青团丹绒区部团长胡栋强指该民青团除了服务人民之外这次主办此项活动目的为促进社会人士对不幸一群的了解与联系,关心一群需要关怀的人士,发挥我们传统道德爱心一同推动慈善活动,共同塑造一个充满温馨及爱心社会.

胡栋强最后表示,希望各位同志及热心人士,届时准时出席协助招待,有任何询问或要进一步了解详情者,请致电联络以下人士：

一) 胡栋强 (Oh Tong Keong) 012-482 9126

二) 陈立毅 (Tan Lip Gay) 012-485 1331

4000 people turned up for the carnival

I was very happy and excited to see approximately 4000 people turned up at the "SATU HATI Carnival" hosted by our Gerakan. The moment was very touching and encouraging! All people regardless of old or young... male or female... Malay or Indian or Chinese... they really enjoyed themselves, at the respective sessions, which include Tug of War, Telematches, Stall/Station Games, Children Colouring Competition and Karaoke Singing Competition.

I was glad that members of Kelab Anak Malaysia Tanjung, headed by Sdra Kah Loon, were also present and assisted in organizing for the telematches. It was nice to see some members of theirs won the 1st match of "Indoor Dragon Boat". But of course our Sdra Mark Ooi (Vice Chairman of Gerakan Penang State Youth) and Sdra Lip Gap (Vice Chairman of Gerakan Tanjung Youth) were counted in, too. Somehow, they still looked very "fit", probably they have been doing regular exercises.

I noticed the ladies have been quite STRONG these days, some of you might not know that, they in fact won in the match of tug of war, contested between MEN and WOMEN... really NO JOKE! Ladies are in POWER, not only at home, but at our carnival, too!

Our Sdra Khoon Leng (Secretary of Gerakan Tanjung Youth) was assigned as Team Captain for Yellow. Besides having well done his roles as the Team Captain, he was walking around with his camera... I strongly believe that was intentionally for photo-collections for his wonderful blog. Sdra Khoon Leng, please keep up your good work! You're very dedicated and commited to our Gerakan!

Of course, we must not forget the various good tasted Hawker Foods... ummmmm... fantastic! Terima Kasih BESAR kepada aunties and uncles... well arranged and cooked! Penangites always need you...

I fully support the statement made by our Sdra Dr Koh Tsu Koon at the Closing Ceremony... "Gerakan will be BACK!!!"

Gerakan must always hold such events for all our friends... Sdra-Sdra... Sdri-Sdri...

Regards.

Oh Tong Keong MCMI

Acting State Youth Chairman of Kedah

Sdra Oh Tong Keong, a Central Committee (CC) cum the Secretary of Gerakan Penang State Youth, was appointed and assigned to be the Acting State Youth Chairman of Gerakan Kedah at the recent Central Committee meeting at Gerakan Malaysia HQ (Cheras) on 26 April 2008.

This is the spirit of helping and sharing of responsibilies among the National Youth of Gerakan in Malaysia. With the vast knowledge and experience of Sdra Oh Tong Keong in the various organizations including the Gerakan, the CC have full confidence in him and strongly believe he could be able to carry out a reasonably good performance and result for the betterment of Gerakan Youth in the State of Kedah.

Gerakan Tanjung Youth would like to congratulate Sdra Oh Tong Keong on this appointment.

Satu Hati!

Sdra Keng Yaik talks on LIVE

Sdra Keng Yaik was invited as one of the Speakers at the "Talking Issues" (就事论事) at ASTRO...

Date: 3 May 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 10.30pm
Channel: Astro AEC (301)

His comments include:-

01. Gerakan as a whole should NOT have lost the majority seats, if the following did NOT take place for years:

a. No Equal or Balanced of Power among the component parties in Barisan Nasional (BN).

b. UMNO NOT having an axaggerated sense of own importance or abilities (in short, arrogant).

c. Gerakan was not successful in fine-tuning the "manners of doing" of some leaders in UMNO.

02. Malaysians did NOT really feel distaste for Gerakan, but just that they hate BN as a whole.

03. Any aversion or disinclination could be lifted, if right processes of correcting, in some areas, take place.

04. Pakatan Rakyat (PR) might be seen having multiracialism at the present moment, but it's too early to conclude whether the same momentum can be sustainable in the long run.

05. It's essential to promote multiracialism in the country, rather than just ONE race. Regardless of malays, indians, chinese and others, as long as they're born and bred in Malaysia, they should be called Malaysians.

06. Gerakan has been pushing UMNO for some corrections, but it cannot be TOO HARD or Overnight.

07. Gerakan at all levels, accept the fact that SILENT does not help in developing the country, but growing UMNO to be more swaggering or egotistic, instead. But, in reality, Gerakan has been doing their part in refraining such unwanted attitude from appearing and the result is being seen gradually.

08. The Acting National President of Gerakan, Sdra Koh Tsu Koon might be seen "soft" from his ways of doing, but Sdra Keng Yaik did NOT agree to it as he knew Sdra Tsu Koon better otherwise the latter would NOT have been chosen as his successor in Gerakan leadership.

09. Sdra Keng Yaik witnessed an occasion of debate between Tun Dr Mahathir and Sdra Tsu Koon, the latter had really, by all means without any fear or favour, expressed his good views and judgements across. The face of Tun Dr Mahathir turned "red" at that moment.

10. Unlike others, Sdra Tsu Koon does not like to "talk" laughingly in the media or for the purpose of publicity and he prefers to settle any issues internally, if any. This is partly because he believes in ACTION more than TALK in the air.

11. Although some Malaysians had strongly encouraged Gerakan to discontinue or withdraw from the alliance of BN and carry out its system of ideas and ideals (or ideologies) on its own, but Sdra Keng Yaik commented that Gerakan didn't want to be "opportunist", and in fact it's too early to address the issue, as Gerakan is in the midst of clearing the "untidy condition" in BN and glad the result is being seen gradually, not in the eye of majority but at least minority at the present moment.

12. Of course, Gerakan would seriously consider the proposal, if condition remains unchanged finally.

Sdra Tong Keong be the State Youth Chairman

The Meeting of Gerakan Tanjung Youth

Date: 30 April 2008 (Wed)
Time: 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Venue: PGRM Penang HQ

As the Party Election is just around the corner, the Tanjung Youth Committees discussed on the topic during the above meeting and had requested the present Chairman of Gerakan Tanjung Youth, Sdra Oh Tong Keong to remain his position for the coming term.

In addition, the Tanjung Youth unanimously support Sdra Oh Tong Keong to be the New Penang State Youth Chairman for the coming term, in view of his dedication, experience and commitment to Gerakan since years.

However, it was also noted that about 60% of the present Youth Committees at Branch, Division, State and even National Levels, would No Longer be eligible for any election in Youth, due to age limitation. However, they're encouraged to be active in the Main-Body of our party.