Now that PM has put the spirit back in Gerakan

PM puts the spirit back in Gerakan

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak puts the fighting spirit back in Gerakan members with a rallying call to continue with their political struggle despite setbacks in the last general election.
He told members to prove critics and sceptics wrong in their analysis of Gerakan’s future and to even “make them take back their words.”
“”Yes, the tsunami happened, and if you cannot tahan (withstand) that, are you so weak and can’t fight back? What sort of people are you?
“It’s never a bed of roses in politics. But there is one thing, which determines whether we are successful and that’s the courage of our conviction.
“If you have it and you believe in what you do and struggle for, you can overcome all challenges,” he told party members attending the Gerakan National Delegates’ Conference here on Sunday.
Najib said it was good that most of the critics and sceptics within Gerakan had left the party to go elsewhere.
He reminded delegates that in the 1970s, when Barisan was first formed, Gerakan was known as a dynamic and progressive party.
“I feel the spirit of Barisan Nasional is still burning in your hearts. We need this spirit very much. Use it to rebuild Gerakan into a progressive party again,” he added.
At one point, there was laughter among the those present when Najib - cupping his hand - asked them if they had “the thing”.
“Do you have it or not? I don’t want to say it. Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik used to say the word a lot, but nowadays he’s more subdued,” he said, referring to Dr Lim, who was seated on stage as party advisor.
He also said politicians, who gave up easily when faced with defeat, should not be in politics.
“Let’s admit that before the last general election, we were out of touch with the people. We accept what they have to tell us with humility and we will change for the better.
“But it’s not only me who has to change. We must all reflect the change,” said Najib, who then led the delegates in a “1Hati, 1Malaysia” rallying call.
Later, party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the Prime Minister’s speech had greatly encouraged Gerakan members to continue with their struggle.
“It was truly an energising and empowering speech as a reminder to us that we are still a relevant party for all Malaysians,” he said.
Party vice-president Mah Siew Keong said he had spoken with many grassroots leader who were attending the conference and said they felt revitalised by Najib’s speech.

tunku : now that the pm has put the spirit back in Gerakan, we hope they will show it and proof it comes next GE.we want to see a strong component parties in BN so that not only few have to struggle hard and few others just taking thing for granted and taking the joyride together after winning.if all the parties in BN strive hards,there no stopping them to be BIG winners in the next GE.the most important thing for BN is Peole First,Peformance Now.