Gerakan today approved a proposal to amend the party's constitution to enable party elections scheduled for March 2013 to be postponed to eight months after the 13th general election.

Gerakan central committee member Gooi Hoe Hin, who chaired Gerakan's annual delegates conference at Menara PGRM here today, said all 747 delegates who attended the conference approved the change.

"This will allow the party to focus on the general election first, then there will be more time for party elections," he told reporters afterwards.

The conference also passed 10 declarations on party, political, economic, social and community affairs, including the stand that the federal constitution must be interpreted, understood and appreciated as a whole by all Malaysian citizens.

Other declarations passed were to boost efforts in promoting moderation, consultation and cooperation in politics by emphasising on fairness, sensitivity and responsibility instead of extremism.

The delegates also agreed that the government and people must work closely to successfully carry out the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), especially in fighting crime and corruption.

Emphasis on sustainability

On the economy, the conference stated that emphasis must be given to ensure sustainability of environmental and energy conservation, to help the poor and expand small and medium industries.

It also stated how important it was to encourage excellence, meritocracy and equal opportunities in the economy, community and institutions to maintain local and foreign talent.

The conference also hoped the government and non-governmental organisations would continue efforts and cooperation in promoting harmony and national unity by mediating issues on ethicity and religion, protecting the rights and interests of all Malaysians, avoiding racial sensitivities, chauvinism and extremism.  

Gerakan also wants to change and revive the party to represent and serve the public, form and implement pragmatic solutions in line with their slogan of ‘Satu Hati, Satu Negara, Satu Wawasan’ (One Heart, One Nation, One Vision).

- Bernama