SHAH ALAM: DAP is expected to go through a major “face lift” with changes made to its structure and practices.
This was necessary given the party’s growth as well as to chart its future direction, said party secretary-general Anthony Loke.
Among the key reforms was the plan to have an evaluation system in selecting candidates contesting in general elections.
“The ultimate decision will be made by the leadership but it will be based upon this evaluation system.”
Loke said the party’s candidate selection committee will be incorporated into the DAP constitution in order to institutionalise it.
This, Loke explained, was to counter allegations that the committee had no legitimate bearing as it is not mentioned in the party constitution.
The proposed reforms were announced yesterday by Loke in his keynote address at the DAP national congress here.
Other changes included the creation of three key positions – strategy director, policy director and elections director in the central executive committee (CEC).
The reform will also bar ministers and deputy ministers from being the party’s parliamentary leader in the august House.
The position is currently held by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
“Ministers and deputy ministers cannot hold the position of parliamentary leader. We will elect a new parliamentary leader to speak without fear on behalf of the party,” said Loke while apologising in jest to Nga.
On another matter, Loke said DAP will reevaluate its stand on its members accepting state and federal awards and honorific titles.
He said it was timely for this policy to be relooked given the bigger role DAP was playing at state and federal levels.
The party’s stance may also be too rigid under the present circumstances, he said.
He cited the case of Selangor executive councillor and Sekinchan assemblyman Datuk Ng Suee Lim who received a Datukship from Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
“Under the party rules, he would have had to decline the honorary award.
“We should allow some flexibility. If our rules are too rigid, we may come across as being harsh,” said Loke, adding the matter will be discussed at the next CEC meeting.
In his speech, Loke also said DAP has not lost its “voice” even though it was now part of the government.
He explained that being in the government meant speaking out in a different manner by way of dialogues aimed at finding solutions.
Loke also suggested that the Federal Constitution be amended to limit a prime minister’s tenure to 10 years, which means two terms.
This, he said, was in tandem with Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto in the last general election.
Loke said that such an amendment would be part of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s legacy in initiating reforms to the nation’s administration.
In spite of the request for the amendment, Loke said for DAP, there was no other person other than Anwar to lead the country as its prime minister after the next general election if Pakatan retains the people’s mandate.
Earlier yesterday, DAP leader Lim Guan Eng reiterated Loke’s stance in support of Anwar.
“DAP has been your staunchest ally as demonstrated by successive DAP secretary-generals from Lim Kit Siang to Anthony Loke.”
He also said that DAP was not a “yes-man” party but was a “yes-man” to the voters of the country.
