Gerakan supports calls for bipartisan dialogue on national consensus

Gerakan supports calls for bipartisan dialogue on national consensus

Cheah Soon Hai: It is time for political leaders to show true leadership and induce a healthier political culture

Press statement by

Gerakan Deputy President

Dato’ Dr Cheah Soon Hai

28 January 2014

Following calls were made from both sides of the political divide for a national consensus on nation-building amid rising racial and religious tensions, Gerakan Deputy President, Dato’ Dr Cheah Soon Hai supported the idea of having a BN-PR dialogue on national issues as he strongly believed that unprecedented bipartisan efforts are needed to stop further political polarization and induce a healthier political culture in Malaysia.

“It saddens me to say that over the last few years, Malaysia has become increasingly polarized especially after the 12^th General Election (GE) in 2008. The post GE-12 era has seen a surge of excessive politicking and unnecessary polemics over a string of issues, both sides of the political divide are in a bid to outdo one another at the expense of social harmony and political integrity which leads to greater social divergence much to our disappointment.”

Cheah cautioned that the nation cannot afford to lose its traction on progressive renewal and reform after the two divisive GEs. He noted that there are many pressing issues that require pragmatic approaches, resourceful solutions and bipartisan collaboration which clearly spells the need for the proposed BN-PR dialogue in order to reach national consensus. He cited the example of the ongoing political turmoil in Thailand that negatively characterized by mass rallies and bitter polarisation of Thai society which serves as a solemn reminder to all of us that the stability of a country must be the priority above all interests.

“It is now time for political leaders from both sides of the political divide to show true leadership in these trying times and lead the nation out of the current social dilemma. We at Gerakan support the proposed bipartisan dialogue to reach national consensus which is in line with our consistent advocacy of moderation and inclusiveness. We strongly believe that moderate voices in a two-front political system should not be drowned neither by intimidation nor hatred. It is important that we reject gutter politics and the proposed bipartisan dialogue on national consensus will be the groundbreaking moment that opens a new chapter of healthier political culture in Malaysia,” said Cheah.