The DAP has urged its members to refrain from commenting on the one-candidate-one-seat proposal by the party’s chairperson Karpal Singh.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said that an internal party mechanism should not be publicised to the mainstream media, which is intent on harming and portraying DAP and Pakatan Rakyat negatively.

This falls short of placing a gag-order on members to discuss the matter, although many find it a relevant proposal.

“The DAP central executive committee (CEC) at its meeting on Monday night unanimously reiterates that the question of whether a candidate stands for both parliament and state seats in particular situations should be decided on a case-by-case basis, as it relates to political strategy and winnability,” said Lim in a statement.

“Such negative portrayals are sensationalised to distract attention from the failed policies, lies and crony culture perpetuated by BN,” added Lim.

NONE He was referring to Karpal’s ( right ) proposal which stated that an exception may be given to the Lim, the Penang Chief Minister, who currently holds a state (Air Putih) and a parliament seat (Bagan).

The Bukit Gelugor MP also said this would not be difficult to do now post-2008 as the DAP has many candidates.

Karpal’s remark created waves in the party, with Selangor chief Teresa Kok - who holds two seats herself - saying that the senior leader had highlighted “an old story”.

Kok was later chided by several DAP leaders who said she was being “rude” to Karpal.

Meanwhile, Lim then stated what he described as “BN’s failed policies” which include the installing of 831 1Malaysia Cameras under the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES).

He added that BN is mired in “financial scandals and improprieties” involving its leaders but which it was unable to explain, and as such the mainstream media has resorted  to “distorting and twisting” the statements of Pakatan leaders.

“(This they do) to the extent of playing the dangerous game of race and religion,” said Lim.

“However, the attempt by Utusan Malaysia to pit Muslims against non-Muslim by labelling  DAP as ‘kafir harbi’ or belligerent infidels has failed dramatically,” he added.

‘DAP not enemies of Islam’

NONE “Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom (right) has said the National Fatwa Council has never issued any fatwa (religious orders) to refer to non-Muslims as ‘kafir harbi’, which had historically been used to describe a group who are enemies of Islam,” said Lim.

He was also taking Utusan to task for distinguishing the DAP as ‘kafir harbi’ from the MCA or MIC as ‘kafir zimmi’ who have accepted the supremacy of the Islamic state and hudud.

“In other words, Utusan is implicitly sanctioning violent action against DAP leaders, even though DAP has not killed or harmed a single Muslim or Malay,” Lim said.

"Despite such lies by Utusan , no action has been taken against Utusan ," he added.

“DAP leaders must stand united against such desperate attempts by the mainstream media to win the next general election for BN at all costs by hook or by crook,” he stressed.