Barisan Nasional (BN) component party Gerakan has urged its youth and women’s wings to step up their level of readiness in facing the 14th general election.

Party deputy president Dr Cheah Soon Hai said the two wings should look at BN’s success in winning the Teluk Intan by-election.

He said it was not impossible for BN to win if the components worked as one to achieve the objective.

“Any differences should be set aside and I repeat, the Teluk Intan by-election is the best example to prove that nothing is impossible if we remain united and contribute our best.

“Hence, I want to challenge all of you to win back for our party the seats wrested by the opposition,” he said while opening the Gerakan Youth and Women’s National Delegates Conferences at Menara PGRM in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Teluk Intan by-election in May 2014 saw BN reclaiming the seat after Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong, who is also Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister defeated DAP’s candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud.

Cheah said Gerakan must play a significant role in the current political arena, particularly in countering the allegations and lies of the opposition.

He described DAP as a racist party, without principles, and which was willing to cooperate with other parties that it had previously condemned, merely for its political interest.

At a news conference later, Cheah urged the people not to be misled by the opposition's lies and vowed that Gerakan would counter fake news spread by the opposition to discredit BN.

He further said that Gerakan had a proven track record in administering Penang for more than three decades.

'’The truth will prevail. We governed Penang for 39 years and succeeded (in undertaking the task). We had a clean record and it has been proven that under Gerakan leadership, many investors came in. We listen to the people,” he added.

- Bernama