Thumbs Up To Gerakan Vice President Huan Cheng Guan

I would like to touch on the speech given by the newly appointed Gerakan Vice President, Huan Cheng Guan for bravely bringing up issues relating to Gerakan and our Community. I followed my friend to a congratulatory dinner for the newly elected VC at Sunway Seberang Jaya on the 24^th Okt 2008.

As I walk in, I notice there were few tables occupied by the Indian members. Suddenly it struck my mind that this will be an usual dinner where we as Indians will go unnoticed. The show begins with opening speeches by few leaders and it was the turn of the newly elected VC. To my surprise, his speech showed the love for Gerakan and the Community. He was firm with the wrong decision by the top Gerakan leaders who has failed to be and act as truly multiracial, especially in penang. His speech also included ;-
1) Gerakan failed and lost badly in the last election because it failed to allocate seats for Indians and non Chinese. If Gerakan were to make a comeback, it should be realistic and start giving opportunities to Indians and non Chinese. The top leaders should seriously look into this and turn Gerakan into truly multiracial. Huan, vow to work hard to bring in more non Chinese and make Gerakan a truly multiracial.
2) As a VC of Gerakan, urged the Government to consider giving two days holidays for Deepavali. Chinese New Year and Hari Raya are given to days public holidays and it’s for the whole country. Why its only one day Holiday and its only for certain states? Make Deepavali as 2 days public holiday and for all states in Malaysia .
3) DPM have said to set a task force team to ensure all Indians who are still lack of birth cert and IC to help them obtain their identification. Huan urge Gerakan Indian members to be added into the task force team because there are many capable Indian leaders can help out to solve these problems.
4) National Registration Department should cut its red tape on issuing Citizenship for senior citizens. There are many out there who have stayed in Malaysia for the past 40 – 50 years but due to the red tapes by the department, these people unable to apply for their citizenship.
5) A special task force to be setup to for the people of Sabah and Sarawak to tackle their IC / Citiezenship / problems. Many people out there who are locals yet to have their identification papers with them.

Im pleased with the Gerakan VC’s statement. He was bold and truly being multiracial. Im sure Gerakan will now move further with leaders like him. Congrats to you for highlighting issues that normally leaders have been keeping silent. I would also like to suggest to Malaysiakini here to have an interview with this new VC of Gerakan to see his point of views and how he plans to bring up Gerakan.