Media statement by Lim Guan Eng in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, 14^th December 2010: 

DAP National Congress, State Ordinary Conventions, postponed for 12 months 

The DAP CEC is compelled to consider the decisions by both UMNO dan MCA to postpone party elections next year as a clear signal that snap elections will likely be called by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak next year. To put the party into genenal election mode, all resources and efforts should be directed towards prepare for the most critical 13th General Elections.

The DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) at its meeting last night decided to invoke Clause VIII of the Party Constitution to postpone Party Congress and State Ordinary Conventions for 12 month.

Clause VIII of the DAP Party Constitution stipulates:

"...Notwithstanding all other provisions contained in this Constitution, the Central Executive Committee Shall have the powers to postpone the Party Congress and Party Conference, State Ordinary Convention and State Annual Convention for a period not exceeding 12 months should their convening fall on a date within two years of the date Parliament shall, in accordance with Article 55(3) of the Federal Constitution, stand dissolved."

This means that the next Party Congress where party elections will be held and due by August 2011 is postponed till August 2012. This decision also affect the holding of state party elections for Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak which are scheduled to be held by end of 2011.

The DAP CEC, taking into consideration of the likelihood of general election being called in the very near future, unanimously agreed that resources and effort should be focused in preparing the Party to face one of the most important general elections in the history of Malaysia.

*Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary General