BN leaders want Gerakan to make stand

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 - Barisan Nasional leaders today asked Gerakan to stop dithering and decide whether it wants to stay or leave the ruling coalition, a day after the multiracial party said it was mulling its options.

Penang leaders in BN did not mince words after Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the party was considering to continue staying on, joining the Pakatan Rakyat or becoming independent although 60 percent of its members want to quit the coalition.

"As a leader, he must be responsible to the coalition. He needs to set the course for Gerakan and make his position clear. After all, a fish rots from the head down," said Penang Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah.

"I regret that we have parti perosak (party spoilers) within Barisan. These factions can leave if they want to," The Star online quoted him as saying.

State MCA deputy chief Datuk Lau Chiek Tuan said Dr Koh should disclose his personal stand.

"Don't hide behind members' opinions. Tell us what you want - you are the party's acting president," he said.

Penang Gerakan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong thinks the party should give Barisan "one or two years" before deciding.

Oh, who is running for the national youth number two post, said important decisions cannot be made in a "hot political" climate.

"All Barisan component parties are going through trying times. Let's wait for the Umno leadership transition to see if the relationship between coalition parties can improve.

"The next general election would probably be in 2012. We can always call for an emergency general meeting in one or two years time if we want to pull out of Barisan - it's not too late," he said, adding that party members should not be hasty.

Koh, who has seen some Gerakan leaders and members join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) after its massive losses in the March 8 polls, said the decision to leave BN is difficult.

"It's a very trying time and there is need for a lot of rational, objective analysis. It cannot be a straightforward, simplistic decision," he said.