DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock today issued a stern warning to party members who publicly criticised their organisation telling them that "the honeymoon is over".

Saying that he was facing tremendous pressure from criticisms and misunderstandings for his perceived lack of action in dealing with party renegades, Kerk also urged all to abide by party discipline in order to be well prepared for tougher challenges ahead.

The time has come to work earnestly towards party solidarity and all members are urged to abide strictly to party discipline and toe the line of the party's leadership, he told reporter after opening of the DAP Socialist Youth national congress in Kuala Lumpur today.

"There is great expectation from outside the party. There are many who have placed their hopes in the DAP. We must not fail them", said Kerk who is also the member of parliament for Kota Melaka.

If those who openly breached party discipline are not punished accordingly, we may have to say goodbye to our reform agenda eventually, he said.

From now on, when there is open dissent, heads will roll, he warned.

However, Kerk was also quick to add that the DAP is not a party that does not tolerate dissent.

"But there must be a limit to everything and I am here today to help prevent further dissent within the party ranks. We've paid a high price in the past for being too lenient with everybody," he added.

Very tolerant

Since Kerk took over from Lim Kit Siang as secretary general in 2000, the DAP had been very tolerant of its 'rebels' either those who criticised party leaders publicly or defied the party's stand on several issues.

Among the more well known party 'rebels' are Dapsy chief and Bandar Klang state assembly representative Teng Chang Khim and Nibong Tebal MP Goh Kheng Huat.

Teng had publicly urged national chairperson Lim Kit Siang not to seek re-election in 2001 while Goh went against party directive and openly campaigned for Barisan Alternatif candidates in a few by-elections.

Earlier in his speech at the Dapsy meeting, Kerk said that modern day leadership stresses on "collectivism and not individualist heroism".

He also challenged Dapsy to help rekindle the rapidly declining political idealism and sense of mission of today's youth.

"In tandem with the times, many youth wings of other political parties have decided that their role should change from that of a pressure group to one that is complementary to the role played by their parent body," he said.

However, Kerk also said he did not wish to direct or outline the kind of role to be played by Dapsy.

"I will leave it to you to find the role which you believe you should play," he told the Dapsy members.

Think freely

In his speech, Teng responded squarely to Kerk's views on leadership style, saying that while Dapsy recognises the need to coordinate closely with the parent body, it also wants to be able to "think freely".

"If Dapsy leaders and members cannot bestow upon themselves the power to affect changes, do not dare to think freely but only follow the instruction of leaders because they fear losing their positions and other interests, Dapsy will lose its moral power and legitimacy to recruit youths to join the wing".

"Dapsy cannot be a body that only supports the parent body blindly," added the Youth leader, who has been a thorn in the flesh of senior DAP leaders for his bold and controversial statements about party leaders.

It is learnt that Teng will be challenged by newcomer Nga Kor Ming, the state assemblyperson for Pantai Remis in Perak.