Sdr Dr Teng Hock Nan,
With your declaration during the Gerakan Penang State Delegates Conference opening speech this morning, it looks like the EGM is inevitable. I believe you understand the various reasons for calling the EGM, this letter is meant to remind you, just in case you have missed out on them unintentionally.
a) No Tangible Results for the last 2 years
During your tenure as the State Chairman, most of the grassroots members do not feel that you have delivered any tangible results in making Penang Gerakan relevant again.
b) Absence of Strategy
Your strategy of waiting for the CAT government to make mistakes so that this will allow you to come back is NOT A STRATEGY. It is just like leaving your fate to the others. You need to lead your party with a strategy that will make Penang Gerakan relevant again.
In addition, due to the lack of strategy that provides for a clear direction, our Party Gerakan Youth team that has so much passions to serve the community were left carrying out their own activities that in their mind will help Party Gerakan. In the end, they have to suffer the negative feedback from the public and to worsen thing, your supporters also give them the flak.
An effective leader in organization skills will know how to motivate and encourage this passionate Party Gerakan Youth team and bring them to greater heights by leveraging their passions to serve the communities. They are the future of the Party and, as Chairman, you are accountable to groom them for succession plan. As such, as a leader, sometimes we just need to be accountable for the well being of the whole party.
c) Allowing you to complete your term
2 years have since passed with you as the Chairman but we are all still struggling trying to understand the direction that you are taking us. In short, there is still NO CLEAR strategy besides the “formulae of 3-3-3-1” that signifies the number of seats has to be won by component parties to recapture Penang. This strategy is very easy to counter by the current government team – “a Vote for Gerakan is a vote for UMNO” and we will all be back to square one. In short, we need a more innovative strategy to capture the imagination of the voters.
You haven’t done much in the last 2 years. Objective factors prevent you from doing so. How much could you do if given another year? Even if you start formulating a plan now, you would probably ask for another term to complete it. Chances are, no plan will be put forward again. Judging from your performance in the last two years, you are not even able to grasp the essence of the problems faced by the party, let alone solve them. Clearly, your current skill sets shows that you do not possess the organizational and management skills to overcome the multitudes of challenges besetting the Party. Different type of leaders are required in different situations and with due respect, your leadership qualities does not suit the current scenario.
From the GE standpoint, we are already 2.5 years passed the mark and most probably it will be another 1.5 years before the next GE. As such, we appeal to you to allow whichever new leader a chance to put forward a viable election plan, so that we stand a better chance in the next GE.
Time is definitely running out.
d) Why Immediate Change?
The looming General Election might be held possibly next year. Time is extremely limited for the new leaders to put the plan into action. With the additional year (at least), the new leaders have the opportunity to make up for the 2 year of lost time although it is not simple but with a very realistic chance. Waiting until next year party election, there will not be enough time for the transformation to take place in making Party Gerakan relevant and appealing to the voters. As such, your holding on to your position can be construed as a very selfish reason in denying the Party a chance to reform. We urge you to make way for a new leadership. With a new image and style in the Party, a new era of hope and enthusiasm will sweep the party.
In addition, based on the Party Gerakan track record, whenever there is an upcoming General Election, the Central Committee will likely pass a resolution to postpone the party election for a maximum period of 18 months. This record is near perfect.
Assuming that you stay on, more members will leave the party because they see no hope of revival. In the end, the Party may just end up becoming an empty shell. We would like to appeal to you to look at the bigger picture, to allow the reform to happen by making way for it. Can we count on your generous heart (like what you displayed during the SDC) to step down now and retire gracefully?
e) Unity of the Party in Bigger Context
Unity requires “WE” to make it work. That is why “WE” starts with a “W” (Double U).
Unity is not to be viewed from only your supporters’ perspective. It has to be inclusive of everyone and this requires a very big heart.
Unity does sometimes require a leader to look at the bigger picture and sacrifice for the party that he or she loves in order to allow unity to exist and flourish. So, Dr Teng, do you love your party enough to allow this to happen?
If you feel that you owe it to your supporters in making you where you are today, I am sure any new leaders will be willing to close rank to include your supporters if you have shown them how much you love your party.
We hope it is not too naïve on our part to ask you show your love for the party in this way.
f) Our Political Opponents want you to stay on
For obvious reasons, your Chairmanship receives a lot of “support” from our political opponents as they know that keeping you there for Gerakan, their rule of Penang will not be threatened. Keeping you where you are is insurance for them as it helps them to consolidate their position further.
In fact, with a weak Gerakan in Penang, our political opponents can concentrate their effort in expanding their influence to other states, by giving them reinforcement from Penang.
We need to make Penang Gerakan relevant and strong again so that our opponents may have to re-strategize and pull back their armies from other states to defend Penang.
g) Reform is Imminent
Dr Teng, in all society and communities, and in life too, change is the only constant. A leader is always best remembered when they allow reforms to take place when times demand it. Indeed the time has come for Gerakan to reform; in fact it is long over due. I am convinced that no reform can take place as long as you are still the Chairman. Therefore at this point, please step down, Dr Teng, your time is up.
h) The Gerakan Spirit of 69
History has a rich knowledge that we can leverage on. In the year 1969, what made Party Gerakan so special and appealing in the eyes of the voters was the ability of its leaders then like Tun Dr Lim to lead the leadership team while also engaging the grassroots to reach out to the communities. In short, there is movement from the top and also at the grassroots level. During your tenure, there are hardly any engagements with the grassroots. As such, the going back to basics for Party Gerakan doesn’t have any meaning at all.
Dr Teng, I will also like to acknowledge that you have contributed to the Party Gerakan and should have a place in the history of the Party and no one can change the facts. However, the current political landscape and demand no longer rhyme with your leadership style and skill sets.
As such, with so many compelling reasons that you should allow the transformation to take place, I would like to encourage you to walk out with your head held high and every one of us will remember you for the big sacrifice that you have done for the Party and Penang in general. It is definitely not a sign of weakness on your part but it is a sign of big sacrifice for the Party that you have grown up with. It is also a sign of you giving back to the Party. Hopefully, you may want to reconsider the EGM decision.
Lastly, Dr Teng, should the EGM need to be called, I hope that you do understand that we have been trying all methods to reach an agreement with you but in vain. We do understand and sympathetic towards your plight and situations but as representatives you should shoulder the voters’ aspirations. We just need to do the RIGHT THINGs for once. In addition, we dream of getting Gerakan to be relevant again by rediscovering the spirit of 69’ in which your leadership has not been able to deliver thus far and as such, we need a reform and change badly.
Dr Teng, something to share with you on what I read recently -
In a journey of life, most people will agree that they regret for the things that they didn’t do when there are opportunities and not so many of them on what they have done.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Voice of Gerakan Grassroots.
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