The Malaysian Insight

GERAK Independent, a joint initiative promoting independent candidates for the general election (GE), today announced it will be contesting six parliamentary seats currently held by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in GE15.

The seats are Batu, Subang, Petaling Jaya, Wangsa Maju and Kota Kinabalu.

The candidates to stand in those seats are activist and human rights lawyer Siti Kasim (Batu), former journalist Charles C.J. Chow (Subang), activist K.J. John (Petaling Jaya), Wangsa Maju resident Raveentheran Suntheralingam (Wangsa Maju) and Sabah-based lawyer Roland Cheng (Kota Kinabalu).

Tawfik Ismail, who is former Umno MP for Sungai Benut, will stand in the sixth seat, which has yet to be decided.

Siti said Gerak aims to contest in “underperforming places where frogs thrive”, when asked why the movement will stand in seats held by PH.

It believes that Malaysian politics will be better if independent politicians are allowed to flourish instead of being bound to a party, she added.

“As independents, we answer to no one. We can speak up on issues without any fear of repercussion from any higher-up.”

She said sometimes, independent MPs can act as a power-balance when a vote is taken in Parliament.

“When this is the case, the government will likely negotiate with the independent lawmaker in an attempt to ensure their support.

“Sometimes, an independent has the power to determine which major political party forms the government.”

Siti said Gerak will field about 10 candidates in GE15.

“We are identifying the rest of the candidates and will disclose them later.”

Gerak, which previously touted itself as a third force, said it is open to forming strategic alliances with other parties or individuals to further its cause – making the country fairer to all.

Its candidates will be tied to five commitments – the Malaysia Agreement 1963; ending divisive politics; restoring guaranteed freedom to the people; restoring institutional power back to the people; and, establishing a needs-based affirmative policy or poverty-eradication programme.

The movement was launched in August last year, and is headed by the Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity Foundation (Maju) and other non-governmental organisations.

Maju founder Siti said Gerak aims to change Malaysia via the only viable solution – Parliament.

Gerak candidates’ profiles can be viewed on the Gerak application, which aims to improve communication between independent candidates and the people. – February 17, 2022.