“I am proud to be a member of Gerakan”

Six months ago, he created history in Gerakan by being the first Malay candidate to contest for a Vice-President’s post at the party’s national polls after Gerakan founder and first party President Dr. Syed Husin Al-Alatas.

Dr. Asharuddin Ahmad, 50, a member of the Central Committee, recently accepted an interview with Gerakan4u.com’s News Editor, Clement Ong, during his visit to Penang.

ABSENCE OF MONEY POLITICS

“I am proud to be a member of Gerakan, because there is no money politics.” He confidently proclaimed.
Dr. Asharrudin joined Gerakan in 1998. He is also the Kuala Selangor Division’s Secretary.
“I was excited about the concept of ‘Kita Anak Malaysia’ (We are the children of Malaysia), and I fully subscribed to its struggle.” He explained why he joined Gerakan.

Dr. Asharrudin finds himself comfortable in this Chinese-dominant-multiracial-party, because the leadership is sincere and honest.

“I disagree that Gerakan is a Chinese-based-party, but this is the public’s perception and Gerakan needs to deal with it seriously.”
He finds that Gerakan is practicing fair and just value in its leadership, sincere and transparent in its administration.

“Although the membership of Gerakan is inconvincible to prove itself as a multi-racial party, it never departs from its struggle for Malaysians as a whole.”

He said, Gerakan is always persistent and being pragmatic when making its stand on the concurrent social economic issues.

“Gerakan did not make any stands or statements for the sake of gaining publicity and popularity, but Gerakan is offering a practical solution to the problem.”

He added, Gerakan is gaining its grounds in non-Chinese’s community.

POLITICS IS ABOUT PERCEPTIONS

“I am happy with the present state, but there is a room of improvements for Gerakan”.

Dr. Asharrudin admitted that the Gerakan has yet to meet his expectations.
“Politics is about perceptions. If the public perceives Gerakan as a race-based-party, then Gerakan is.”
In his opinion, Gerakan needs to engage the non-Chinese community more frequently than before.

“If the people don’t come to Gerakan, then Gerakan must come to them.”

He emphasized, “We must talk to the people in the rural areas. Ask them if they know about Gerakan. Explain to them about the ideology. Invite them to join Gerakan. If they refuse, then find out the reasons so we can improve.”

CHALLENGES AHEAD

At the moment, the majority of the Gerakan membership is Chinese, at approximately 80%.

Dr. Asharuddin felt the biggest challenge that Gerakan is going to face is how to persuade the people to accept multiracial politics.

“The paradigm has shifted. The Malay community is ready for multiracial politics and Gerakan should extend its olive branch.”
Gerakan4u.com opined that because Gerakan in the past seems to be representing everyone in the end it ended up representing no one. He agreed with the opinion. He further added that Gerakan is having problems of positioning and branding.

“The race-based party has the ‘uniqueness’ which represent particular ethnicity but Gerakan doesn’t. Because the exclusivity is not there, therefore the people do not appreciate what has been done by Gerakan.”

by Clement Ong
Gerakan4u.com’s News Editor