PENANG: The Chinese New Year of the Ox seems to have brought the much-needed thaw to the somewhat uneasy relations between UMNO and Gerakan in Penang.

In the spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect among component parties of the Barisan Nasional (BN), state UMNO leaders attended the Chinese New Year open house organised by Penang Gerakan at its headquarters in Jalan Macalister here.

Relations between UMNO and Gerakan in Penang became uneasy after former Bukit Bendera UMNO Division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail is said to have hurt the feelings of the Chinese in a campaign speech during the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election last August.

Penang UMNO Liaison Committee secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim, when asked whether the presence of the UMNO leaders showed that the leaders of the two parties had made peace, said UMNO had never quarrelled with but respected all component parties in the BN as well as all communities in the country.

"Only in this matter (of Datuk Ismail's statement), Gerakan was angry with UMNO and severed links at the state level. We hope that cooperation between both parties will be more harmonious in this new year and our relations will be more cordial," he said.

Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the presence of the Penang UMNO leaders at the open house signalled a good start to patching up of differences in the spirit of the festival and unity.

He said UMNO and Gerakan in Penang had cordial relations but several incidents had caused an uneasiness in the relationship.

"In fact, the cooperation between UMNO and Gerakan in the context of the BN at the federal level is very strong.

"However in Penang, we need time to restore the relations and their (UMNO leaders') presence is a good start in the spirit of the festival and unity," he said.

Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Penang MCA Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Liow Tiong Lai and Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce chairman Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong also attended the open house. (Bernama)