DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh is not giving up on his one-candidate one-seat proposal for the coming general election and will bring it up at next month's party's national congress in Penang.

"Members are given the opportunity to bring up issues, during the national congress.

NONE "My proposal still remains, subject to the party's decision, it should be based on a case-by-case basis with some exemptions," Karpal ( left ) told reporters at a press conference in Penang.

"Generally, it should be one seat per candidate. This is more democratic," added the Bukit Gelugor MP.

His  proposal kicked up quite a stir in the party, with Selangor DAP chief Teresa Kok - a two- seat holder - saying it was ‘an old story", and criticised for being rude to the veteran leader.

Karpal insisted that the party's central executive committee (CEC) has agreed by consensus that only in "exceptional" cases should a candidate hold two seats - state and parliamentary.

He threw up the suggestion that chief minister and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng be considered as one of the exceptions.

The DAP has nine representatives holding two seats, three in Penang - Lim, Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy and state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow.

Penang leads in nominations

Karpal, a well-established lawyer, said that even municipal councillors should be given the chance to rise to become state assemblypersons.

Likewise, state assemblypersons should have the opportunity to become members of Parliament as the party grows.

"We have more than ample candidates to go around this time".

Karpal was commenting on the party's 16th national congress which will be held in Penang from Dec 15-16, where 2,500 delegates are expected to attend and vote for a new leadership line-up.

Sixty-six members are vying for 20 posts in the central executive committee, where its members would later appoint another ten for the various positions in the body.

Fifteen out of the 66 are leaders from Penang, while many nominees are occupying top leadership posts in the current committee.

Karpal, himself is among those nominated. When asked if he would continue to be party chairperson, he replied, "I have to be elected into the 20 first".

He pointed out that the national congress is the highest decision-making body in the DAP, entrusted with the task of electing the new office-bearers.