The Democratic Action Party's central committee at a meeting this afternoon accepted the resignation of Lim Kit Siang as secretary-general, considered the most powerful position in the party's hierarchy. However, Lim would still remain in DAP as the new party chairman. Dr Chen Man Hin, who had earlier resigned as chairman, was given a special post as DAP's permanent advisor.

With the departure of Lim, DAP will now have a new secretary-general in almost three decades. The party central committee appointed Kota Melaka MP Kerk Kim Hock to succeed Lim, who has held the position since 1969.

"I never expected that I would be appointed secretary-general. I thank the party's leadership for their confidence in me," said a visibly shocked Kerk after the meeting.

The new secretary-general said it would be a great challenge for him to reverse the party's fortunes following DAP's poor showing in the past two elections.

Kerk, 43, a graduate of Monash University in Australia, entered politics in 1986. A former engineer, he was elected Durian Daun state assemblymen in 1986 and MP for Pasir Pinji (currently Ipoh Timur) in 1990.

In 1987, he was arrested under ISA and was detained for 60 days. He left the political scene for a number of years soon after and returned to active politics in 1998 where he was appointed DAP's publicity secretary.

The resignation of Lim as party supremo meant an end to the astounding career of a politician who had dominated Malaysia's political landscape spanning three decades.

Lim, 59, hails from Batu Pahat, Johor. A former journalist, Lim started his political career in 1966 as the national organising chairman of DAP and editor of Rocket, the party official organ. When DAP contested its first general election in 1969, Lim was elected MP for Bandar Melaka.

However, the May 13 racial riots three days after the election ended his new found career. He was detained under the ISA at the Muar Detention Centre in Johor under trumped up and unfounded charges that he was one of the masterminds of the riots.

Later in September, while still in detention, the DAP central committee anointed him to take over from Goh Hock Chuan as party secretary-general.

Lim returned to active politics in early 70s after he was released from detention. However, he was again detained under ISA during the Operasi Lallang crackdown in 1987. While in detention, this time in Kamunting, he obtained a law degree.

Throughout his 30 years as a parliamentarian and as Opposition leader, Lim astounded both his colleagues and rivals with his fierce determination and tenaciousness in championing the rights of the people.

But his style of leadership was not without criticism. A number of prominent party members such as Lee Lam Thye, Wee Choo Keong, Kua Kia Soong and Sim Kwang Yang left the party after coming into conflict with him over party policies.

Lim who appeared sombre after the central committee meeting did not comment about his resignation. However, he confirmed that DAP's cooperation with other opposition parties in the Barisan Alternatif would remain.

"The question of whether DAP should withdraw from BA does not exist. DAP will continue cooperating with other political parties in BA." He added that the new Opposition leader would be appointed by BA.