Gerakan Youth has confirmed reports of an exodus amongst its central working committee members.
 
Contrary to the media reports, however, its youth chief Tan Keng Liang said he has only received five resignation letters so far.
 
"We are surprise how it was reported eight cases. Gerakan Youth CWC will deliberate the matter in our meeting on Tuesday night. Decision will be made on that," Tan (below) told Malaysiakini.
 
He said he has instructed Gerakan Youth secretary-general William Chang to look into the resignations and prepare a report for the meeting.
 
However, he declined to name those who have submitted their resignation letters, saying that he would only do so after the letters have been verified.
 
Earlier today, The Sun reported that Gerakan Youth vice-chief Clarence Lee, treasurer-general Adrian Ong Ching Woo, deputy treasurer-general Chan Tzun Hei, and central committee member Ivanpal Grewal Singh have tendered their resignations from their posts.
 
Also supposedly resigning are its two deputy secretary-generals Allan Tang Luan Kang and Ooi Zhi Yi, and two bureau chiefs Chong Chee Yen and Chia Gim Tiong.
 
This the due to disagreements between the group with Tan’s leadership, the English-language daily said quoting an unnamed source.
 
It also quoted Gerakan Youth vice chief Yap Wen Piau confirming that eight leaders have resigned, but some are still drafting their letters of resignation.

Opposing stance

The Sun’s report comes hours before Gerakan Youth secretary-general Chang (below) issued a press statement seemingly contradicting Tan’s earlier statement on fuel pump price hikes.

Asked of this, Tan clarified that he has no issues if the government subsidies are maintained.
 
"I have no issue if the government can maintain the subsidy. It would be good for the people, especially the poor," he said.
 
Previously, in immediate response to the announcement of the price hike for RON 95 petrol and diesel on Twitter, Tan had apparently defended the hike.
 
"RON 95 petrol is still one of the cheapest in the world. This is a fact," he tweeted.
 
"Public transport is the long term solution for unpredictable fuel prices. Expand it further."
 
However, Chang issued a statement earlier today saying that the government should have maintained the subsidies instead of reducing it and then compensating with increased Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) cash aid.
 
This is because whereas only qualified individuals stand to benefit from BR1M, the fuel price hike would have knock-on effects that would lead to inflation, which in turn is detrimental to everyone.
 
"Rather than providing assistance by increasing the amount of the financial aid, the government should abolish the hand-outs instead.
 
"Saving national coffers should not start from the reduction of fuel subsidies," Chang said.

Not about abuse of funds

Meanwhile, Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong expressed disappointment in what he says is a rare move in the party.

While he has yet to sight the resignation letters, he said he will call the Youth leaders and mediate the dispute.

Speaking at Putrajaya, he also denied speculation that the leaders were unhappy with Tan over alleged abuse of funds.

"There is no need to investigate this allegation as I know it's not true," he was quoted as saying by Chinese-language daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh.

"First, I don't know why there are such allegations. Secondly, Gerakan Youth has no money to misuse, and thirdly Gerakan, too, doesn't have much money."