PETALING JAYA: Gerakan yesterday suggested that the government form a special committee comprising veteran leaders from each political party, including from the opposition, to ensure that no party uses religious or racial issues for their own political agenda.
Its acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the reason was because such scenarios had become more common in recent years, particularly after the 13th general election, and feared it would threaten the unity and harmony of the country.
“Any small issue can quickly be turned into religious and racial issues by the parties, exploiting them for a political agenda.
“We feel it is necessary for veterans to advise us and other party leadership to prevent this from becoming a trend.
“They can help us solve the problem together as they are more experienced,” he told reporters after opening the Selangor Gerakan Delegates Conference, here, today.
Present were Gerakan vice-president A Kohilan Pillay and acting secretary-general Datuk Mah Siew Keong.
Chang said he would bring up the proposal to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after the Barisan Nasional component parties had held their polls.
Chang, in his opening address, said all 12 state affiliates had finished their polls in which four state chairmen defended their posts unopposed. — Bernama