[3] The party were formed by Tan Chee Khoon, Syed Hussein Alatas and Veerappen Veerathan[4][5] in 1972 after Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia co-founder Lim Chong Eu led Gerakan into the newly expanded Alliance (renamed as the Barisan Nasional or National Front).

[6] Tan strongly opposed this move because he felt it endorsed the race-based parties in Barisan Nasional.

PEKEMAS was a non-communal party and formed based on principles similar to the original Gerakan.

[14][15] PEKEMAS' campaign against the government was predicated on denying them the requisite 2/3 majority for amending the Constitution, which Tan opposed.

[16] Tan announced his retirement from politics in 1977, although he held his Parliament and Selangor State Assembly seats until their terms expired the next year.