KUALA LUMPUR – Penang Gerakan sees a chance for it to make a political comeback in its former bastion of Penang but it can only be realised if the leadership accords autonomy to the state chapter to use its own logo for campaigning and on the ballot papers.
State Gerakan leader H’ng Khoon Leng says that up to 80% of the party’s grassroots in Penang, will support a notion of Gerakan using its own logo because it will demonstrate to the voters that the party is trying to stand on its own.
“It is difficult for any party to contest alone in the complicated and polarised voting base that Malaysia has become but we need to demonstrate we are keen.”
He supported a call from other comrades here for the party to consider using their own logo for the next general election here.
Following the outcome in the Johor state election and the narratives emerging from the coming Negri Sembilan and Malacca elections, H’ng said that the voters are now rather fed up of failed promises and excessive coalition politics.
“When the playing field is too crowded, the voters would opt for the devil they know rather than the unknowns out there,” said H’ng.
“While Barisan Nasional (BN) seems steady, it was just months ago that there were speculations that MCA and MIC wanted to opt on their own or join other political blocs. Coalition politics have become a hassle rather than complementary.”
Hence, there is a clamouring now within the party for Gerakan to use its own logo in the next election, particularly in Penang, said H’ng in an interview.
He said that besides this, Perikatan Nasional (PN) and the ruling national unity coalition of Pakatan Harapan (PH), are also undergoing some “insecurities” within their own coalition set – up
So it is better for Gerakan to use its own logo, said H’ng, who also believed that its PN allies in PAS and Parti Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), are receptive to the concept.
“I think if you ask some 80% of our grassroots, they may agree too.”
But ultimately, it is up to the party leadership under president Datuk Seri Dominic Lau Hoe Chai to make the decision, said H’ng.
H’ng is optimistic that Gerakan can perform reasonably well in Penang because there is a clamouring of their type of governance, which is driven by moderation, needs and championing the state’s assets from heritage and the environment.
It is also driven by the notion that its main rival – DAP is saddled with internal disputes which has lingered on for over five years, he said.
Although DAP’s Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong is said to be a front runner for the post, speculations are abound that the party may need to settle for a candidate, who is appeasing to all factions within the party.
Former DAP’s Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik had vouched for party secretary – general Anthony Loke Siew Fook to lead the party in Penang but, Loke’s name emerged as one of the DAP candidates in the coming Negri Sembilan state elections on August 1. – July 17, 2026.