DAP Central Executive Committee resolves to
maintain the highest degree of party unity and discipline in the face of the
toughest electoral battle expected to be held this year
Media Statement
by Kerk Kim Hock
(Petaling Jaya,
Monday):
Although only the Prime Minister, who has the prerogative to decide the date
of dissolving the Parliament, will know the exact date of the next general
election, it is widely expected that the next general election will be held
this year.
With the Prime Minister having fixed October 31 this year as the date of his
retirement, it is only logical that his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi
be allowed to lead the next electoral battle so as to seek the necessary
mandate for himself and his new policies.
However, it cannot be totally ruled out that the Prime Minister will hold
the next general election as early as July this year simply because of the
Barisan Nasional ’s belief that with him personally leading the battle, it
will boost the Barisan Nasional’s chances of a greater electoral victory.
Whether the next general election will be held before or after the Prime
Minister retires, the next general election will be a very tough, if not the
toughest battle in the DAP’s history.
As such, all DAP State Committees will be asked to immediately gear up in
preparing for the coming general elections.
In this connection, the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) which met
yesterday, decided that all branch committees would be asked to nominate
candidates for their parliamentary and state constituencies for
consideration by the CEC.
Sub Clause 9(f) of the Party’s Constitution reads as follows:
“ The selection of candidates
to contest in local authorities, State Assemblies and Parliament shall be
the sole prerogative of the Central Executive Committee, and all decisions
of the Central Executive Committee in this matter shall be final and
absolute.”
The necessary forms will be sent
to all branches after the party’s 13th National Conference, scheduled to be
held on 12.1.2003.
All nomination forms are to be submitted to the Secretary General by March
15, this year.
The CEC, conscious of the need to maintain the highest degree of party unity
and discipline to face the next general election, also passed the following
resolution:
“ The Central Executive
Committee,
Conscious of the great political challenges in the country and the impending
general elections,
Takes notes of the importance of the highest degree of unity and discipline
in the party to face the tough electoral battle expected to be held this
year,
Therefore resolves to remind all party leaders and members to put party
interest at heart and utilize all proper internal party channels to air any
grievances and problems and refrain from tarnishing the party’s image
through media statements or speeches in public functions: and
Further resolves to direct the party’s Disciplinary Committee, with
immediate effect, to take the sternest action against any leader or member
who breaches party discipline.”
(6/1/2003)
* Kerk Kim Hock,
DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka
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