Koh: Arrogance of power led to crushing loss - NST

By : Eileen Ng and B. Suresh Ram

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan has blamed its own arrogance for its crushing defeat in the 12th general election.

"Perhaps, power had gone to our heads after leading Penang for 39 years. We have not done enough in our own approach and attitude," said acting party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Speaking to the press after a closed-door meeting with 1,500 central delegates, Koh was merciless in analysing Gerakan's defeat in Penang, and its similarly disastrous performance nationwide where it won only two parliamentary and four state seats.

Koh blamed the dismal performance on its leaders losing touch with the grassroots as well as "arrogance of power" in Barisan Nasional.

He said due to their busy schedule as government officials, the needs of the rakyat were neglected.

"The general election results were also due to the people's dissatisfaction with perceived arrogance of power within BN, especially over certain Umno leaders whom through their words or actions have resulted in resentment," he said, adding that BN also needed to change its way to survive. But Koh also described the results as a "blessing in disguise".

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2194408/Article/index_html]