Penang Gerakan Youth chief Tan Zhen Zune called on the party to shed its reticence and robustly address disparaging remarks from PAS leaders, warning that silence risks eroding member confidence and public trust.
Speaking at the state Gerakan annual general meeting today, Tan emphasized the need for Gerakan to assert itself as a unifying force within Perikatan Nasional (PN) to regain the support of non-Muslim communities.
Tan highlighted the detrimental impact of the party’s muted response to public criticisms, particularly those aired during the recent PAS muktamar. Penang PAS Youth chief Hafis Alias had openly criticized Gerakan president and Penang PN chief Dominic Lau, accusing him of lacking leadership and failing to foster unity between Bersatu and PAS at the state level. “When Gerakan members see silence from the party, they lose faith in us,” Tan said. “Instead of blaming PAS, we must turn this into our strength. Gerakan must demonstrate to non-Muslims that it can be the balancing voice within Perikatan Nasional. That is the only way to win back their trust.”
Reflecting on electoral setbacks, Tan urged Gerakan to reassess its strategy in Penang, where the party has suffered defeats in two consecutive elections under the PN banner. He suggested that contesting future elections under Gerakan’s own flag might be necessary to restore its standing. “We need to rethink our approach,” he said, advocating for a bold shift to reassert the party’s identity.
Tan also raised concerns about the impending national youth age cap reduction from 40 to 30, set to take effect next year. He warned that adopting this change could jeopardize the sustainability of Gerakan’s youth wings in many states. To counter this, he proposed intensifying efforts to recruit new young members and re-engage those who have become inactive, ensuring the party’s youth division remains vibrant.
In a pointed critique, Tan questioned the party’s new slogan, “Chai Yok,” describing it as awkward and poorly conceived. He noted that for Chinese communities, particularly those speaking Hokkien and Teochew dialects, the phrase sounds like “jiak eok,” a colloquial term meaning “taking medicine.” “When you take medicine, it implies something is wrong with you,” Tan remarked. “A slogan should inspire people, not make them laugh or wonder what it means.” The term, commonly spelled in pinyin as “jia you” and meaning “add oil,” is a widely recognized Chinese expression of encouragement, but Tan argued its current form fails to resonate or motivate.
Tan’s address underscored the urgency for Gerakan to adopt a proactive stance, refine its messaging, and strengthen its appeal to both members and voters. As the party navigates its role within PN and the evolving political landscape, its ability to respond decisively to challenges will be critical to its resurgence in Penang and beyond.
