Amid debates over the DAP's proposed wide-ranging amendments to its 40-year-old party constitution, top party leaders today appealed to member to support the move, stressing that the party's long-term survival depends on changes.

The amendments, tabled by secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on behalf of the central executive committee, sought to overhaul the constitution from the initial six-point objectives to a more all-encompassing 18 points.

This include two controversial amendments over the party's ideology and language policy.

Touching on the party's move to amend the constitution today, Lim told the 250 party delegates attending the national conference in Kuala Lumpur that although DAP is a Malaysian party, it has been perceived as a non-Malay party.

"Political necessity dictates that our political future in the year 2020 depends on acceptance by Malays. Of the party 12 (parliamentary) seats, only one seat has a majority of less than 70 percent Chinese, namely Ipoh Barat," he said in his policy speech.

Lim pointed out the decline of the party's popular votes - from 843,750 (13.63 percent) in the 1999 election to 687,340 (9.8 percent) in the last general election in 2004. The 2004 tally is lower than what DAP garnered in the 1995 general election, 750,000 (12 percent).

"Unless we take the first preliminary step to change during the 40th anniversary of our party's birth today, we may not be able to celebrate our next 40th anniversary.

"The amendments to the party constitution is a first step to show we are serious in being a Malaysian party articulating the issues of all Malaysians," he said.

New slogan: Malaysian First

In his hour-long policy speech, Lim deviated from his prepared text and turned it ceramah-style, reiterating the party's stance on various issues such as the recent fuel price hike and the call to review Article 121 (1A) of the Federal Constitution.

He briefly spoke about party affairs, including the constitution amendments, towards the end of his speech from a backdrop of the party's newly-launched slogan 'Malaysian First', replacing the 'Malaysian Malaysia' slogan.

Under the amendments, the constitution will include a clearer definition on the party's stance on various issues such as gender equality, workers' rights, youths' rights and its support to revive the local government elections.

However, the bone of contention was on the proposed amendment to change the party's struggle for a 'democratic socialist' pattern of society to that of a 'social democratic' society. This led to internal debates as to whether the party was abandoning its socialism agenda.

Another amendment was a new clause which reaffirms Bahasa Malaysia as the national and official language while guaranteeing the right of other mother-tongue languages to be studied and used.

Some have viewed this as a step backward since the party had previously declared its struggle for Mandarin, Tamil and English to be recognised as official languages alongside Bahasa Malaysia.

Not changing party's ideologies

DAP chairperson Karpal Singh who opened the national conference has also called on members to support the amendments and the party's secretary-general.

Speaking from a wheelchair, Karpal, who is still recovering from his injuries after meeting an accident last year, criticised an English newspaper report which said Lim's political future could be at stake should the party constitution amendments are not passed.

Karpal said Lim has gone through ups and downs in his political career and was even sentenced to jail for defending the rights of a Malay girl.

At a press conference later, Lim stressed the party was not dropping its socialism agenda but saw the need to clearly define its political ideology, that it is centre left, not hard left.

The amendments are expected to be passed through a simple majority by show of hands.

At press time, the debate on the amendments is ongoing.

NEWS UPDATE: At 7.10pm, all the amendments were passed.