DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has called upon party members and newly minted elected representatives to take over the services formerly provided by BN service centres that have closed.

“If they think they can intimidate the people by closing their service centres, this is the time for DAP to step forward and take over from MCA and Gerakan in providing the services to the people, regardless of race, creed, or political background.

NONE “If they want to close, let them close. Let us step up and replace BN parties in terms of serving the people.

“If they say they don’t want to serve, don’t serve lah . We'll serve,” he said in his opening speech at a meeting of DAP elected representatives today.

He also reiterated his criticisms against MCA and Gerakan - where some of its divisional leaders have threatened to close their service centres following their humiliating showing at the 13th general election - as childish tantrums.

On the same matter, Lim announced that the party’s central executive committee (CEC) has decided that its assemblypersons must set up a service team for each polling district in their constituency, starting with those that the party has won because it is easier.

“The days of the past where one assemblyperson can do all the work is gone.

“In the past, there are certain constituencies where we are sure to win, because we do all the hard work. One person can handle it all…

“It may work 10 years ago but I can promise you this - it will not work now, because you need to build a team,” he said.

'Work hard or face music'

He added that Cheras MP and DAP deputy chairperson Tan Kok Wai is an expert at constituency work, and even he is conceding that a team is necessary to do get the work done.

NONE Lim said Tan ( left ) has therefore been appointed to supervise the forming of such teams.

“If you don’t toe the line, (Tan) as the disciplinary committee chief, action can be taken.

“The CEC has given him full authority for him to do this, because we are serious about this.

“If you are unhappy and don’t want to work on this, (chairperson) Karpal Singh wants to see you.

"So don’t ‘play-play’ about this issue. This is very crucial,” he said.

Other decisions made at the CEC meeting yesterday that are announced at the meeting are:

  • CEC member Gobind Singh Deo would form a legal team to look into possible election petitions for DAP candidates.
  • DAP would support PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as the parliamentary opposition leader, and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang as the party's parliamentary leader.
  • The opposition leaders and party whips appointed for the state assemblies of Kedah, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor, Pahang and Sabah.