State polls: Gerakan confirms participation, targets 36 seats

KUALA LUMPUR - Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) has confirmed its participation in the upcoming elections on August 12, where it will contest in 36 out of 245 state seats.

its President, Datuk Dominic Lau, announced that the party will field candidates in four states under Perikatan Nasional (PN), namely Kedah (3), Penang (19), Selangor (8), and Negeri Sembilan (6).

Lau himself will be contesting in the Bukit Tengah State Assembly in Penang, expressing his commitment as a Penangite during a press conference at the Gerakan Tower on earlier today.

He acknowledged that Gerakan's collaboration with PN marked a significant achievement, as they have managed to field candidates for 20 Parliament seats and 63 State seats, compared to their participation in 13 Parliament seats and 33 state seats under BN in the 14th general election (GE14).

Lau also announced his candidacy to defend the president post on July 15, receiving suggestions and support from representatives in 11 states, including Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, and the Federal Territories.

Explaining the challenges faced in the party election, Lau mentioned the overlap with the upcoming state elections.

While the party attempted to delay the party election, the Registrar of Societies did not allow it, as the party constitution mandates that the election must be held eight months after GE15.

"I would like to remind all members that we must remain focused on the state elections in comparison to the party elections," Lau stressed.

Lau will be facing a three-cornered contest, including the Federal Territories Gerakan chairman, Datuk Lau Hoi Keong, Melaka Gerakan chairman Michael Gan, and former secretary-general of the party, Datuk Liang Teck Meng.