Ahmad Zahid: We’ll look into why Gerakan left Barisan

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan’s decision to leave Barisan Nasional will be studied thoroughly, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is overseeing the coalition following chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s resignation last month, said he would get secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and executive secretary Datuk Seri Abu Khamis to get in touch with Gerakan.

“We have yet to get an official letter from Gerakan. We would like to study the details,” he said during a press conference yesterday.

In Ipoh, Perak Gerakan chairman Soo Kay Peng said the party central committee’s decision was hard “but necessary”.

“Gerakan has always been alone until 1969. It’s sad that we have to leave. If we don’t change, it will be difficult for us.

“We now have a free hand and there’s no more baggage to carry,’’ he said when contacted.

Soo said there were supporters of the party who rejected Barisan.

“Gerakan still has a good name, as we received positive feedback and support from the ground,’’ he said.

Financially, Soo said Gerakan would not be able to count on Barisan’s assistance any more and that was something they would have to get used to.

“We cannot cling on to Barisan forever. It’ll take a while to get used to this but there’s no turning back now,” Soo said.

In George Town, Gerakan legal and human rights bureau chief Datuk Baljit Singh said the party’s move to quit was purely to strengthen itself and emerge stronger as an opposition party.

“The party started off in the opposition in the 1960s,” he recalled.

He said the party needed to reflect on how to rebuild its image and remain relevant in the current scenario.