The DAP will be the first political party in Malaysia to limit the tenure of the secretary-general if the proposed amendment to its constitution is adopted by delegates at the national conference next Sunday, Jan 12.

The party's 30-member central executive committee has proposed to limit it to three terms, said DAP organising secretary Tan Kok Wai when announcing the 24 amendments proposed for the party constitution.

Currently, the party constitution states that any member can hold the secretary-general post for an indefinite period provided the national conference delegates endorse it.

Tan said the purpose of limiting the secretary-general's tenure was to expedite ongoing and new reforms in the party.

"It is to accelerate the process of party reforms so that there will be effective leadership mechanism and positive leadership culture," he told a press conference at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

"It is also to provide greater opportunity for capable leaders to fill the position and lead the party forward. Such a move will ensure a continuously robust leadership, representing a pertinent aspect of party reforms."

Lim Kit Siang was the longest-serving secretary-general for the party. He held the post for 30 years from 1969 to 1999 before resigning. Later, he assumed his present post of party chairperson.

Democratic trends

Tan said the limitation of tenure, if adopted by all party delegates, will ensure greater democratisation within the party.

"If delegates at next week's national conference adopt the proposal, the amendment will take effect 18 months' down the line when the party elections are held during the national congress."

Asked why the limitation proposal was only for the secretary-general's post, he said the post was the most important in the party.

Proudly declaring that no other party has even attempted to do this, Tan said all opposition and Barisan Nasional parties should follow suit for greater democratisation.

Some of the other proposals are:

  • to shift the power to convene a national congress (when elections are held) from branches to delegates by extending the requirement for a 60 percent minimum mandate to the latter;

  • to add two new posts, that of assistant international secretary and assistant national director of political education.

  • to add two more members in the central working committee namely the international secretary and the national director of political education; making it a total of 12;

  • to place state committees under the disciplinary committee's jurisdiction; and

  • to formalise the national conference format and specify party procedures for smoother administration, marking a greater involvement of party headquarters in state matters.

    • New declaration

    In addition to the proposed constitutional amendments, Tan said a new party declaration will also be presented for delegates to adopt.

    Called the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, it contains the guiding principles of the party in facing the political challenges of the 21st century.

    "It is aimed at transforming the country's power structure so as to realise the objectives of a free, democratic social and Malaysian Malaysia," he explained.

    "It is hoped that through this declaration, Malaysians will further understand and appreciate our political mission and struggle, and that party leaders and cadres will be able to serve society in line with this new spirit and direction mapped out."

    A total of 555 delegates, observers, party veterans and invited guests are expected to attend the national conference at Federal Hotel in the capital city.

    The conference will probably be the last before the next general election and all delegates should turn up to strategise for the challenge ahead, said Tan.