The internal squabble plaguing Negeri Sembilan DAP since last year worsened recently following a threat by several of its branches to join Keadilan if the party's headquarters fails to resolve the dispute over the state leadership.

According to a April 2 report in Chinese daily Sin Chew Jit Poh , 19 of the party's 45 branches in the state had sent an ultimatum to the DAP headquarters to either to take over the state leadership before April 14 failing which they will join Keadilan.

The report said that a campaign to unseat the DAP Negeri Sembilan chairman Wong Yauk has been in progress since last year and this had led to a three-month suspension of 23 Negeri Sembilan DAP members in January.

According to the daily, neither of the actions had subdued the disgruntled grassroots or halted the campaign.

Internal matter

Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua told malaysiakini today that the DAP members involved should resolve their problems internally and not use Keadilan as a threat.

"Using Keadilan as a threat is not correct, as it would simply create unnecessary problems for the Barisan Alternatif component parties," he said.

Meanwhile, Sin Chiew Jit Poh , in a report published today claimed that Wong would resign as DAP state chairman for Negeri Sembilan.

The daily reported that Wong will step down today and be replaced by DAP organising-secretary Tan Kok Wai. However, when contacted, Tan said the report was untrue.

He also refuted the claim that the party's headquarters has taken over the state committee. He however, admitted four DAP central committee members, led by him, will join the state committee soon.

Strong leader

DAP member of parliament for Seputeh Teresa Kok when contacted said a "strong leader" was needed to resolve the dispute, adding the party did not wish to see the Negeri Sembilan division split.

"Wong was democratically elected as chairman by the grassroots and we cannot simply ask him to step down," she said.

An observer who is close to Negeri Sembilan DAP claimed that the state leadership's performance had been questioned "for a long time".

However he added, that the chairman's rivals were not as capable thus allowing Wong to control the state committee.

Enhance influence

"The internal fight in Negeri Sembilan DAP displays the lack of credible leaders in DAP. But if Wong stays, the party will find it difficult to recruit young people in the state," the observer told malaysiakini

He said he felt the DAP headquarters should take over the Negeri Sembilan leadership for one or two years to enhance its strength and influence.

"The poor quality of Negeri Sembilan DAP candidates in the last general elections disappointed many voters. The restructuring cannot be avoided and it will help enhance the opposition front in the state," he said.

In the 1999 general elections, DAP failed to win any state or parliamentary seats in Negeri Sembilan.