Gerakan has unanimously decided to leave the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, leaving only three parties in the coalition that once had 13 component parties.
The decision was announced by the predominantly Chinese party’s central committee in a press release on Saturday (June 23).
“The decision was made after serious and comprehensive deliberation, reflection and consideration of the current political developments of the country post-GE14. The sentiment of the grassroots was taken into consideration, while elections at the branch level are underway nationwide,” said the central committee.
The committee added that it is “absolutely necessary” for Gerakan to embark on a new political journey with freedom, empowerment and an assertion in pursuing what the party believes is best for Malaysia and Malaysians.
“The decision is in line with the new aspirations, needs and demands of the people post-GE14, we decided that Gerakan must chart a new direction to sustain ourselves and continue our struggle,” added the central committee.
It said that it leaves BN on good terms, adding that Gerakan will be an independent party in the Opposition bloc to offer a check-and-balance to the Pakatan Harapan government.
Gerakan, however, did not win a single parliament or state seat in the May 9 election.
“We will cooperate with like-minded parties, individuals and groups in the national interest to uphold and defend the Federal Constitution, rule of law and democracy of Malaysia, we are most committed to preserving the Malaysian way of life as we know and we want collectively as Malaysians,” said the central committee.
BN is now left with three race-based parties representing the Malays, Chinese, and Indians: Umno which has 54 parliament seats and emerging as the biggest opposition party, and MCA and MIC with one and two federal seats each respectively.
In the weeks that followed GE14, component parties began to announce their exit from the sinking coalition.
Sarawak BN dissolved after PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP announced on June 12 it was leaving to form its own state-based alliance called ‘Gabungan Parti Sarawak’ (GPS).
In Sabah, PBRS, Upko, and LDP also left the coalition.
MyPPP membership remains in contention following party infighting.