DAP to table yet another resolution to reform party
DAP will table a resolution to reform the party, the fourth time in its history, at its 13th Annual National Congress this weekend, a party top official told malaysiakini today.
The Chinese-based opposition party has embarked on several 'rejuvenation' exercises since it first launched its reform agenda in 1991.
The need for reforms, which was also carried out in 1996 and 2000, was said to have arisen out of internal party politicking and leadership problems.
"In the light of the present political circumstances in the country, we need to strengthen the party. We have never denied the need for a reform," said the party's national publicity secretary Ronnie Liu.
However, this time around, Liu cited the purchase of two Chinese dailies Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press by MCA's investment arm Huaren Holdings as a reason to reform the DAP.
"Our voices are hardly heard these days. What more, with the blanket ban on opposition ceramahs , we need to find ways to disseminate information to our grassroots," added Liu.
The Nanyang takeover sparked a round of controversies which saw a faction within the MCA bitterly opposing the deal.
The deal also led to many Chinese organisations vowing to boycott the two dailies, arguing that their control by a political party was a "blow to press freedom".
Blanket ban
Early this month, the government imposed a blanket ban on opposition ceramahs . Dissidents who opposed the ban were arrested for organising illegal assemblies.
The Chinese-based opposition party has embarked on several 'rejuvenation' exercises since it first launched its reform agenda in 1991.
The need for reforms, which was also carried out in 1996 and 2000, was said to have arisen out of internal party politicking and leadership problems.
"In the light of the present political circumstances in the country, we need to strengthen the party. We have never denied the need for a reform," said the party's national publicity secretary Ronnie Liu.
However, this time around, Liu cited the purchase of two Chinese dailies Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press by MCA's investment arm Huaren Holdings as a reason to reform the DAP.
"Our voices are hardly heard these days. What more, with the blanket ban on opposition ceramahs, we need to find ways to disseminate information to our grassroots," added Liu.
The Nanyang takeover sparked a round of controversies which saw a faction within the MCA bitterly opposing the deal.
The deal also led to many Chinese organisations vowing to boycott the two dailies, arguing that their control by a political party was a "blow to press freedom".
Blanket ban
Early this month, the government imposed a blanket ban on opposition ceramahs. Dissidents who opposed the ban were arrested for organising illegal assemblies.
Last Saturday, DAP's 35th anniversary dinner in Melaka saw a heavy police turnout. The party's chairperson, Lim Kit Siang, was abruptly stopped from continuing his speech.
According to Liu, the party will also table a resolution to debate the Islamic state issue and how the controversy surrounding it has impacted the party.
However, he said that there would not be any resolution calling on the party to quit the opposition Barisan Alternatif coalition.
"This is not a DAP problem alone. It involves the entire BA," he said.
Earlier, the party's central committee was expected to recommend a resolution calling for DAP to withdraw from the coalition at the coming national congress in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 18-19.
However, it was feared that the resolution could spilt the party as members were divided on the decision to quit the front.
It is learnt that the party is also threatened with the possibility of several branch leaders and members, who strongly backed the BA, crossing over to coalition partner Keadilan should DAP decided to quit.
Sparks flew between coalition members PAS and DAP when deputy president Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also Terengganu Mentri Besar, insisted that the party establish an Islamic state if it came to power.
