Kerk: DAP will die if it does not stay young and relevant
DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock issued his second warning in two days to party members today when he said that the DAP could "die of old age" if the younger generation fails to support the party the way their parents did.
Political deaths come in many forms and it is also possible for the DAP to die of old age with little or no support from Malaysian youths, he told delegates at the party's national congress in Kuala Lumpur.
Opening the DAP Socialist Youth congress yesterday, Kerk told party renegades that "the honeymoon is over" for them as the leadership would now wield the axe against them.
He said the party leadership has been tolerant for too long and had paid a heavy price for it.
In his speech today, Kerk also warned that "the DAP can die if our struggles no longer seem relevant to the signs and the times by the people".
On the second day of its national congress today, the DAP reflects seriously on what it has to do to survive through trying times. Failing to stay young and relevant will spell the death of the party, warns sec-gen Kerk Kim Hock.
DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock issued his second warning in two days to party members today when he said that the DAP could "die of old age" if the younger generation fails to support the party the way their parents did.
Political deaths come in many forms and it is also possible for the DAP to die of old age with little or no support from Malaysian youths, he told delegates at the party's national congress in Kuala Lumpur.
Opening the DAP Socialist Youth congress yesterday, Kerk told party renegades that "the honeymoon is over" for them as the leadership would now wield the axe against them.
He said the party leadership has been tolerant for too long and had paid a heavy price for it.
In his speech today, Kerk also warned that "the DAP can die if our struggles no longer seem relevant to the signs and the times by the people".
Parties of irrelevance can survive with lofty ideals but they cannot win elections, he told the 300-odd delegates.
Young and relevant
"Hence, the DAP must continue its reform agenda to remain young and relevant. No matter how difficult the reforms are and no matter how long the process will take, we must be determined to pursue the agenda," he added.
Delegates focused their debate today on the party's reform agenda, some components of which had been proposed since 1990.
One major amendment proposed by the central executive committee was to limit the term of the secretary general to three terms.
Yesterday, Dapsy also endorsed another amendment to its constitution to allow direct election for the movement's top five posts chairperson, deputy chairperson, two vice-chairpersons and secretary general.
Vital changes
On the proposal to limit the term of the secretary general, Kerk stressed that it was to act as a catalyst for more changes which are vital for the DAP's survival and development.
In the DAP set-up, the secretary general is the most powerful leader in the party.
On the coming elections, Kerk said it was necessary for the DAP to learn from lessons of the past as there are worrying signs for the Opposition as a whole in the country..
"Past mistakes must be rectified and internal party disputes and problems must be solved or their impact reduced.
"In the face of a very tough general election, all leaders and members must put party interests above themselves and display the highest degree of unity and discipline," he stressed.
