New strategies for the coming 13th general election appear to be holding back Gerakan's finalisation of its candidate list which has been postponed to the end of the month.

"Gerakan will finalise its candidate list by the end of the month as it still needs to consider several new proposals," said the party's secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow.

NONETeng, (left) the Penang BN chief, said that Gerakan discussed the matter at its central working committee in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Other than Penang, it is believed that the party also deliberated on the Kedah and Johor lists.

On why the delay, Teng said that there are "new ideas and new approaches" for the party to consider when confirming candidates.

"We need sometime to consider all these, we need time to absorb it, accept it, which is why we are meeting again to see the outcome," he added.

Najib to vet final list

He continues to keep his lips zipped on what is really holding back the confirmation of the candidates suggested by the state committees earlier.

He declined to elaborate beyond saying that these are proposals and strategies for the fast approaching and much anticipated polls, which may be held after March.

On the question of the type of candidates in the Gerakan list, Teng merely said: "When it is out you will know about it".

"The list still has to go through the Barisan Nasional chairperson and Prime Minister Najib Razak".

It is learnt that within there party there are views that several candidates, including top and veteran leaders. should not contest if "totally rejected" by the grassroots.

They include the party's president Koh Tsu Koon and state chief Dr Teng Hock Nan, who fell in the 2008 polls , paving the way for Pakatan Rakyat to take over the Penang government.

'Constructive Opposition' in action

When contacted, Gerakan grassroot movement who call themselves gG (Gerakanlah Gerakan) spokesperson Yeap Ban Choon seems to have adopted a similar approach.

gerakan egm 091010 yeap ban choon"The candidates should reflect what the party can offer as a constructive opposition should Pakatan win the election again," said Yeap, (left) who has been in the forefront in pressing for reforms in the Penang Gerakan.

In Oct 10, 2010, gG had been instrumental in calling for a vote of no confidence against Hock Nan at an Emergency General Meeting, where he scrapped through and reconfirmed his position as state chief but his influence remains weak.

"We do not expect all to be new faces, we also need some experienced people around," he added.

"However, those who are totally rejected in the past like Koh and Teng should come to terms with reality and should not be fielded".