Former DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock today said he stands by his allegation of an internal sabotage because he believes that his supporters had told him the 'truth'.

"I believe that the truth is more important than proof and DAP members and supporters who know me well will vouch that I am not one who is prepared to make any public comment which will affect the party's image.

"I have always tried to discharge my duties as the party's secretary-general as best and as honest as I could but I was overwhelmed by the acts of treachery, hypocrisy and vilifications of some people who can never put party interest above self of factional interest.

"Suffice for me to say that while doing my best to hold the party, especially the DAP Melaka together, I have tolerated and suffered so much, too much," he said in a statement.

Kerk was responding to Kota Laksamana state assemblyperson Betty Chew's call on him to furnish proof that those linked to her husband and her had sabotaged his campaign during the polls.

Chew is the wife of former DAP Youth leader Lim Guan Eng and the latter is the son of the party chairperson Lim Kit Siang.

Kerk had resigned from his post after he failed to defend his Kota Melaka seat. He later claimed that his supporters had informed him of a sabotage.

Final comment

In his statement today, Kerk said he does not want to be dragged into further arguments on this issue but added that what Guan Eng had told the media earlier was "not reflective of the truth".

Guan Eng was reported by the Chinese press as saying that Kerk was involved in a dispute with party members for not putting up his posters and that he had resolved it.

However, Kerk clarified that he was never involved in any such quarrels and expressed regret over the inaccurate reporting.

"Let me reiterate what I have always believed, that factional rivalry cannot last long or will not worsen if leaders are not involved," he said.

He also claimed that party adviser Dr Chen Man Hin had appealed to him and Guan Eng via an e-mail this morning to refrain from making any further public comments about the issue in order to "give DAP a chance".

In view of this, Kerk said this would be his last comment on the sabotage issue.