Despite clashes with its coalition allies, the party is perceived to be dependent on continued membership within Perikatan Nasional.

[8] The party won the state of Penang in the 1969 general election by taking 16 out of 24 seats, winning control from the MCA.

Many of its members, such as Syed Hussein Alatas, V. David, Veerappen, and Tan Chee Khoon, left to form Parti Keadilan Masyarakat Malaysia (PEKEMAS).

[10] In 1973, a number of former MCA members from Perak and Selangor who were expelled from the party, including Lim Keng Yaik and Paul Leong Khee Seong, joined Gerakan.

Gerakan also sought to expand its influence in others states, especially in Perak, an effort helped by continued defections from MCA.

In 1979, Michael Chen stood against Lee San Choon for the MCA Presidency but lost, then later in 1981 joined Gerakan.

[17] Before the 1986 general election, Gerakan came into conflict with UMNO when it was suggested that a Malay, possibly Anwar Ibrahim should replace Lim Chong Eu as Penang Chief Minister after his term expired.

[8] Nevertheless, Gerakan retained the post of Chief Minister of Penang with Dr. Koh Tsu Koon taking over the position.

On 27 August 2005, its president Lim Keng Yaik was challenged by the Deputy Kerk Choo Ting in its party election.

Koh Tsu Koon became the new Deputy President which he won unopposed after the nomination day for the party election.

[22] Soon after the defeat, a number of prominent members, such as Tan Kee Kwong and Lee Kah Choon, went over to the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat to take up posts with Opposition-led state governments in Penang and Selangor.

It outlined three main thrusts, namely to voice Gerakan's ideology, policy position and advocate Malaysian solutions for various major issues, to rebuild, rebrand and re-empower the party at all levels, and to regain people's confidence.

[24] The party also launched a new slogan, "Forward Together with One Heart" (Satu Hati Gerak Bersama), and set out its area of concerns and strategies.

Later in the year, Mah Siew Keong took over as president after beating Penang Gerakan chairman Teng Chang Yeow for the post.

[27] In 2016, for the first time in history, the President of BN did not attend the annual general meeting of Gerakan and instead briefly appeared on video for 2 minutes.