BA: DAP congress split on whether to quit or remain
As a consensus seem difficult to reach, the 300-odd delegates are likely to decide this afternoon to leave the final decision to the party's new incoming central executive committee (CEC).
The party's outgoing CEC had tabled a resolution yesterday asking delegates to give the party's new leadership the mandate to resolve the issue with PAS.
Delegates say they might eventually back this proposal as they cannot come to a unanimous decision on the matter.
'Hot potato'
Outgoing secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock this morning stressed that the congress is the highest decision-making body of the party.
"I really cannot tell what will happen today. Issues are open for debate. The CEC has asked for a mandate to resolve the matter but delegates can decide otherwise," he said before the congress reconvened for its second day in Kuala Lumpur.
DAP's conflict with PAS blew into the open when PAS leaders, particularly Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also the Islamic party's deputy leader, announced that his party would implement the Islamic state concept should it come to power.
A DAP delegate from Johor said that he could not predict the outcome of the congress as the grassroots members in the state were sharply divided over the issue.
"Some feel that it is PAS who should leave BA and not DAP. It is they who violated the BA manifesto, not us," he said.
He described the issue as a 'hot potato' that must be resolved immediately.
The opposition coalition's manifesto for the 1999 general elections left out the issue of the Islamic state. The coalition's other members, Keadilan and PRM, issued a statement recently that they are against the creation of an Islamic state.
No difference
Another delegate said that it made no difference if the party stayed in or quit the BA.
"The Islamic state issue has been around for decades. Whether it is threatening or not, we (DAP) must strengthen our grassroots and fight whatever challenges we are to face," he added.
However, a DAP youth leader said that the Islamic factor was a real problem as many Malay youths agree with Abdul Hadi's views and his insistence on setting up an Islamic state.
"We also understand Hadi's position - that he needs to listen to his grassroots or else PAS may lose Terengganu in the next elections," he said.
A female delegate echoed the same concerns, adding that she appreciated Hadi's consistency.
"At least we know where we stand with him. But we cannot accept PAS' version of an Islamic state because there has not been a good model of one so far," she said.
"We are truly concerned about our (minority) rights because PAS cannot tell us for sure where we will stand, and what our citizenship rights are in an Islamic state," she lamented.
She added that PAS president Fadzil Noor's personality or policies may be moderate but warned that future leaders such as Abdul Hadi may not be so tolerant.
The DAP congress will end later this afternoon with a decision on the party's future in the opposition coalition.
The party's CEC will also announce the new leadership line-up for the next three years.
