If Internet chatter was anything to go by, Gerakan, once dubbed the conscience of Barisan Nasional coalition, is among the parties which many commentators have written off as irrelevant.
Today, at its National Delegates Conference (NDC), the naysayers may just have been proven right.
After the curtains came down following the two-day conference, president Dr Koh Tsu Koon held a press conference, which to his surprise was greeted with no questions from some 20 journalists.
“This is the first time in history where there are no questions (after the NDC),” remarked Koh, who laughed off the situation with both arms flailing.
Koh was accompanied his deputy Chang Ko Youn, secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow and vice-president Mah Siew Keong, all of whom looked equally surprised at the situation.
When indeed no questions were forthcoming, Koh declared the press conference over to the delight of most journalists who even applauded the announcement.
Following this, the journalists asked for a group photograph with the party top brass which they happily obliged.
Political fatigue?
This scenario was a far cry from the lengthy press conferences Koh endured last year, particularly after party delegates went on an all-out Umno-bashing spree.
Last year was also marked with some drama preceding the NDC when a supporter of controversial Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail tore Koh's photograph in front of press cameras.
This bizarre apathy from reporters however may be attributed to political fatigue as the mostly same crop of reporters have been covering the Umno general assembly and the protracted MCA crisis last month.
Inside the Dewan Wawasan at Gerakan headquarters where the conference took place, a similarly icy setting took place when fewer than 100 delegates listened to Koh's winding-up speech.
“It is a situation we have been trying to rectify. A lot of delegates are from out of town and with businesses to run, they have to leave after lunch,” said Teng.
Teng however pointed out that the 1,800 delegates enthusiastically packed the hall this morning to hear Koh's policy speech and the opening speech by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Amendments to constitution
During the conference, delegates approved five resolutions to amend the party constitution, of which two were aimed at injecting young blood into the party.
One of the amendments increase the number of branches allowed per division - from 18 to 24.
According to Teng, the move was to allow the recruitment of more new members as there had been complaints in the past of division chiefs refusing membership.
“Sometimes, existing division chiefs are worried about new and young talent because they see them as a threat,” explained Teng.
Another amendment was to allow the appointment of three deputy secretary-generals and a deputy national treasurer, which can be picked from outside the central committee.
Teng said this move meant that the party can now enlarged its leadership to beyond the central committee, and thereby giving more chance for young talents to take part in the party decision-making process.
Today, at its National Delegates Conference (NDC), the naysayers may just have been proven right.
After the curtains came down following the two-day conference, president Dr Koh Tsu Koon held a press conference, which to his surprise was greeted with no questions from some 20 journalists.
“This is the first time in history where there are no questions (after the NDC),” remarked Koh, who laughed off the situation with both arms flailing. Koh was accompanied his deputy Chang Ko Youn, secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow and vice-president Mah Siew Keong, all of whom looked equally surprised at the situation.
When indeed no questions were forthcoming, Koh declared the press conference over to the delight of most journalists who even applauded the announcement.
Following this, the journalists asked for a group photograph with the party top brass which they happily obliged.
Political fatigue?
This scenario was a far cry from the lengthy press conferences Koh endured last year, particularly after party delegates went on an all-out Umno-bashing spree.
Last year was also marked with some drama preceding the NDC when a supporter of controversial Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Ahmad Ismail tore Koh's photograph in front of press cameras. This bizarre apathy from reporters however may be attributed to political fatigue as the mostly same crop of reporters have been covering the Umno general assembly and the protracted MCA crisis last month.
Inside the Dewan Wawasan at Gerakan headquarters where the conference took place, a similarly icy setting took place when fewer than 100 delegates listened to Koh's winding-up speech.
“It is a situation we have been trying to rectify. A lot of delegates are from out of town and with businesses to run, they have to leave after lunch,” said Teng. Teng however pointed out that the 1,800 delegates enthusiastically packed the hall this morning to hear Koh's policy speech and the opening speech by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Amendments to constitution
During the conference, delegates approved five resolutions to amend the party constitution, of which two were aimed at injecting young blood into the party.
One of the amendments increase the number of branches allowed per division - from 18 to 24.
According to Teng, the move was to allow the recruitment of more new members as there had been complaints in the past of division chiefs refusing membership. “Sometimes, existing division chiefs are worried about new and young talent because they see them as a threat,” explained Teng.
Another amendment was to allow the appointment of three deputy secretary-generals and a deputy national treasurer, which can be picked from outside the central committee.
Teng said this move meant that the party can now enlarged its leadership to beyond the central committee, and thereby giving more chance for young talents to take part in the party decision-making process.
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