Five years ago, on Aug 25, 1999, DAP Youth chief Lim Guan Eng was freed from Kajang Prison after being incarcerated for 18 months for offences under the Sedition Act and Printing Presses and Publications Act.

After his release, under the law, he was still deprived of his political and civic rights (not allowed to hold positions in political parties and associations, or contest in elections) for five more years, that is, until Aug 25 this year.

Although the Registrar of Societies did not allow his appointment as DAP deputy chairman, during the party's 13th Congress in 2001, no one can now obstruct him from being appointed to any post.

This includes the post of secretary-general - he will likely be appointed at the 14th Congress to be held this weekend, if he himself does not turn down the post.

Despite being repeatedly asked about this by the media, Guan Eng has declined to state his stance as to whether he would accept the post. However, it is evident that all external hindrances to his acceptance have been neutralised.

Firstly, former secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock has retired following his failed defence of the Kota Melaka parliamentary seat. This means that Guan Eng will not have to mount a challenge for the post, should Kerk and his supporters disagree with his taking over the post.

Secondly, all three possible candidates considered qualified to hold the post - M Kulasegaran, Chong Eng and Tan Kok Wai - have made way for Guan Eng. They are certainly good at discerning the wishes of the party leadership.

Thirdly, and most important of all, deputy chairperson Karpal Singh and Lim Kit Siang's right-hand man, has named Guan Eng as the DAP leader he considers most qualified to be the next secretary-general.

Kit Siang, who is Guan Eng's father, has himself stated his readiness to step down as DAP chairperson.

His move is a master stroke. It will at least project the image that he did not intend to start a Lim Dynasty. Should delegates disagree with his stepping down, then the likelihood of dynasty building cannot be blamed on him.

If Kit Siang remains in the party's front line, then irrespective of what post he holds - chairperson, advisor or whatever - in reality he will remain the de facto DAP leader, whoever holds the post of secretary-general.

It is not my intention to question whether Guan Eng is qualified to become the secretary-general because, based on the present leadership line up, there are not many choices.

However, this does not mean that Guan Eng does not have his own dilemma, even though all parties appear to welcome his ascension to the top party post.

Specific problems

Guan Eng's dilemma can be studied from several aspects.

1. Kerk's failure, while he was secretary-general, to retain the Kota Melaka seat and his subsequent retirement from politics, has unfortunately been linked to several conspiracy theories involving Guan Eng.

Kerk had previously stated openly that he had been made a target, even a victim, of factional fighting within DAP, which is getting worse by the day.

Guan Eng denied the rumours, but Kerk has reminded him of the possibility of Guan Eng's supporters carrying out the misdeeds without his knowledge. At that time, Guan Eng had answered that he did not intend to hold the secretary-general's post.

2. Kerk once declined a 'salaried secretary-general' offer in order to safeguard his personal influence. Guan Eng, who has admitted that his financial situation is still disorganised, will surely face a similar dilemma.

Becoming an MP again, representing Kota Melaka for instance, is not something easily achievable for Guan Eng. He is not very confident of wresting the seat back from the BN. In fact, such a feat is considered almost impossible.

3. Roughly speaking, when Kerk is compared with Guan Eng, the former is clearly more friendly and mature. It is difficult to see how Guan Eng can succeed in bringing about reform in the DAP as the next secretary-general, when Kerk failed to do so during his term.

4. In interviews, Guan Eng is often asked about his combative style of politics. It cannot be denied that he has sacrificed much as a result of the 'defender jailed, criminal freed' episode. When he was released five years ago, he was viewed as a national hero, alongside former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

5. However, subsequent developments did not favour him - he failed to secure a royal pardon which would have allowed him to contest in the last general election. The DAP also admitted that it made totally unfounded allegations against former Malacca Chief Minister Rahim Thamby Chik, in order to avoid sentencing and a fine.

That tactic was seen as incongruous with his previous combative style of leadership, but it had been party's unanimous decision to act in that manner.

6. He has promised to be more careful with what he says for the sake of his children, but he has also admitted that it will be difficult to do that.

For example, he has been sued by former Perwaja boss Eric Chia (photo). This is not only Guan Eng's dilemma, but the dilemma of all opposition members who are determined to wage war on the wrong doing and bribery. Guan Eng has promised that jail will not deter him, but it looks like jail does worry him.

7. Guan Eng openly admitted that if he is rejected by voters, it will be difficult for him to have the sort of strength and steadfastness that Kit Siang and Karpal have, which he will need for his return to Parliament.

Does this mean that, if he is rejected by voters during the next general election, he will have no option but to retire just like Kerk?

Because of these dilemmas, Guan Eng is still not ready for the post of DAP secretary-general. If he is appointed now, it will be Kit Siang who will be burdened with the need to assist Guan Eng, and images of a Lim Dynasty, which they have tried to avoid, will be displayed for all to see.