Kuala lumpur: Gerakan has suspended its Johor state liaison committee with immediate effect after it unilaterally withdrew from contesting the 16th Johor state election without consulting or obtaining approval from the party's central leadership.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Gerakan secretary-general Wong Chia Zhen stated that the decision was made at an emergency Central Committee meeting chaired by party president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai yesterday. The Central Committee unanimously agreed that the action constituted a serious breach of party discipline, the principle of collective leadership, and the procedures stipulated under the party constitution.

'Accordingly, the Central Committee has unanimously decided to suspend the Johor state liaison committee with immediate effect pending further investigation and action,' Wong said in a statement today.

To ensure the continuity of the party's administration and preparations for the state election, Wong mentioned that the Central Committee had appointed Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong as acting chairman of the Johor state liaison committee with immediate effect.

The party also urged all members to remain calm, respect the decision of the leadership, and continue focusing on supporting and campaigning for Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates in the state election. 'Gerakan will continue to uphold the principles of discipline, unity and organisational integrity to ensure the party's struggle and the interests of the PN coalition remain strong,' Wong added.