Q&A After a series of setbacks in the past decade following 25 years of a glorious political past, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) is perceived to be losing its niche in the Malaysian society.

The party is seen to be 'communal' or Chinese-based despite claiming to be multi-racial and multi-religious. Its leadership claim that the party's association with Islamic-based PAS has been a mistake especially after the latter insists on establishing an Islamic state if it came into power.

In a new twist of events, the party's Youth leader Teng Chang Khim has publicly said that DAP has been led for too long under chairperson Lim Kit Siang.

Malaysiakini speaks to the "most powerful man in the DAP", secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock, to get an insight into the party's future directions ahead of its national congress in Kuala Lumpur this weekend.

Malaysiakini: Where do you see the party's future in the next general elections, especially in the wake of the party's controversial standing in the Barisan Alternatif vis-a-vis the Islamic state issue.

Kerk Kim Hock: DAP is still very relevant to Malaysian politics though we experienced two electoral debacles successively in 1995 and 1999. Our defeat in 1995 and 1999 did not mean that the people had abandoned or rejected us.

In 1995, the good economy and the minor liberalisation policies of the Barisan Nasional were too powerful for the opposition [to counter] and in fact we heard immediately after polling day that many MCA elected representatives did not even know how they got elected.

In 1999, just months before the general elections, we knew the voters' mood was in our favour but we were prepared to take the political risks by co-operating with PAS as we believed that the general elections would be a golden opportunity to smash the political hegemony of the BN.

There are comments that the Islamic state issue is a reflection of the party's weaknesses. What do you say to that?

Our feedback shows very clearly that the Islamic state factor was the main factor that resulted in our debacle. This does not mean that we are putting the blame on PAS or that we are denying that we have our own weaknesses, like poor organisation.

The pre-election mood was so favourable that we knew, despite all the traditional weaknesses such as lack of humanpower, last-minute announcement of candidates and lack of funds, that we could have done well if we had gone into the general elections on our own.

So are you blaming PAS for the DAP's debacle?

The question of putting the blame on PAS does not arise. We are not also trying to deny that we do not have weaknesses but the fact is that the Islamic state was the main factor why DAP lost many votes.

What about the perceived internal conflicts and power struggles of the party?

What "internal conflicts and power struggles"? For the past two years, we did not have any problems of this sort. Contradictions are bound to exist in any human organisation but it will be an exaggeration to say we have "internal conflicts and power struggles".

What do you see as the DAP's major political crisis which has led to the party losing support especially from Chinese Malaysians? There is evidence that the party has been losing ground about 10 years ago, when the Islamic state issue was not a threat.

DAP worked with Semangat 46 in 1990 and smashed the pendulum theory. We did badly in 1995 due to the buoyant economy and the BN's minor liberalisation policies. In 1999 we were affected by the Islamic factor. We do not think we have been rejected or abandoned by the voters.

Would you say that the conflict between PAS and DAP has adversely affected the BA's image and credibility? When will the deadlock between PAS and DAP come to an end? Will it ever come to an end?

With regard to this issue, the DAP leadership is of the unanimous view that it must be urgently resolved. If the issue is unresolved, we hold the view that BA is untenable and the present co-operation format cannot be sustained. We will never compromise our founding principle that Malaysia shall forever remain a secular democratic nation.

DAP is talking about reforms for the fourth time - what kind of reforms are you talking about specifically?

I have always stressed that "there is no change if there is no difference". In order to bring about an effective change, there must be top-down leadership and bottom-up commitment. Everyone has a role to play and must be involved in the reform exercise.

Party reform cannot and must not become an excuse, reason or ground for anyone to cause dissension, unhappiness, disunity or factional rivalry in the party. Party reform must build, and not destroy. The party must change and change fast. Bold and quick changes are necessary.

What is your main task as the party's secretary-general?

[Figuring out] how to change to ensure that DAP will become the natural beacon of hope and inspiration of the people.