GERAKAN STILL STRONG AND INTACT, SAYS DR KOH

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Gerakan's image and future prospects have not been marred by the resignation of another of its former leader, its acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Saturday.

"Gerakan is still very much alive and full of spirit despite the resignations and setback in the March 8 general election," he told reporters after chairing the party's Central Committee (CC) meeting at Menara PGRM here.

He was asked to comment on Gerakan's former vice president and National Women's chief Datuk Rhina Bhar's resignation from the biggest mult-racial party in the country yesterday.

Rhina, 57, cited racial bias in the party as the reason for her quitting Gerakan.

Last month, its deputy secretarty-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon quit Gerakan after taking up offers from the Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang government to lead the Penang Development Corporation and investPenang, two state economic arms.

Describing the episodes (resignations and election performance) as part and parcel of the metamorphosis process, Dr Koh said the party also saw many new leaders emerging.

"After the general elections, we have been able to attract more new members and there are new leaders emerging.

"We encourage young members to play a more active role in the party," he said. After suffering a humiliating defeat in the election, the party has realigned itself and pledged to recruit more non-Chinese members.

It has opened up another 100 new branches and registered approximately 5,000 new members since then.