Gerakan President's tenure limited to three terms

More than 1,000 Gerakan delegates on Saturday unanimously passed amendments to three articles in the party's constitution, including limiting the tenure of the president to three terms.

The decision was arrived at Gerakan's National Delegates Conference after the proposed amendments was tabled by former speaker Tan Sri Dr Chin Fook Weng.

The proposed amendments involved Article 10.2 in the Gerakan constitution related to the Gerakan Life Members Council and Article 41.3 related to limiting the tenure of the president and state chairmen to three terms.

Another amendment was related to the setting up of a disciplinary committee to act against members who flout the party's disciplines and regulations.

Tabling the proposed amendments, Dr Chin said Article 10.2 related to the Gerakan Life Members Council was irrelevant due to its limited membership other than being able to meet at any time.

On Article 41.3 related to limiting the tenure of the president and state chairmen, he said the proposal was to ensure that Gerakan always possess new strategies and vigour.

"Another amendment was related to the setting up of a disciplinary committee encompassing several matters and sections in the constitution, which is to be set up to investigate and act against members who flout discipline," he said.

He said all the amendments must be submitted to the Registrar of Societies for approval before the party could enforce it.

Dr Chin clarified the amendment limiting the president's and state chairmen's term of office would only be enforced after the party election expected to take place in 2016.

"If the amendment is approved, the current president and state chairmen are not subjected to the amendment as their elections were made in 2013. Their three terms will only be considered after the election expected in 2016."

The disciplinary committee was proposed after Gerakan's poor performance at the 13th general election which was said to have been caused by sabotages and indiscipline.

Dr Chin said currently, Gerakan did not have a permanent committee to take action against its members and only a ad-hoc committee would be set up if there were cases or accusations related to party members' discipline.

"But now we need to have a permanent committee because the current concept is ineffective and late in taking action or investigating," he said.

The Gerakan National Delegates Conference started this evening after a simultaneous conference by the Youth and Wanita wings Saturday morning.

The national delegates conference was postponed at 5.30pm and would continue Sunday afternoon.