DAP has swung solidly behind its embattled veteran leader Karpal Singh, who has just stepped down as national chairperson, pending his appeal against his sedition conviction.

The party's secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said that this is not the end of Karpal, as some quarters may think.

He said the party was "saddened" by Karpal's decision but was compelled to do so by law.

"We are waiting for his return. We hope for the best and are prepared for the worst," Lim said in Penang today.

He added that the party has discussed the matter for sometime and respects Karpal's decision.

"He is a lawyer and he knows what he is doing," said Lim, who is also Bagan MP.

"We have no choice but to abide by the law although we do not agree with it," added the Penang chief minister.

Lim said the party had been reluctant to let Karpal step down but the latter already expressed his views that he would not demean himself by appealing for exemption from the Registrar of Societies to keep his post.

This is in light of DAP initiating legal action against ROS for its continued persecution of the party, said Lim.

However, a proposal would be made to the Central Executive Committee to reserve a position for Karpal when he returns, Lim added.

"Now that he has stepped down from his chairman and CEC posts, he cannot attend any meetings," said Lim.

"But I will propose and I am sure it will be unanimously agreed upon that we reserve a post in the CEC for him when he returns," Lim added.

"If he succeeds in his appeal, Karpal will revert back to being chairman," he stressed.

At the press conference, Lim was accompanied by Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP.

History repeating itself

Karpal said the party was prepared for all eventualities, including a by-election. But Lim said "we are not looking at that yet. We await Karpal's return".

Lim said that he, too, had to give up his post as Kota Melaka MP when he was charged with Sedition in 1995.

Karpal decision today comes after being fined RM4,000 for sedition on March 11 by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

He was fined for saying the Perak sultan's removal of Nizar Jamaluddin as menteri besar during the state's constitutional crisis in 2009 could be challenged in court.

Karpal's decision is based on Section 9A(1)(b) of the Societies Act 1966, where a person cannot remain an officer bearer of a registered society if he or she has been found guilty of any offence and fined not less than RM2,000 or sentenced to a jail term of not less than a year.

However, a disqualified person may apply under Section 9A(4) of the same law for exemption and the ROS may grant it for a term as it sees fit.

Despite giving up his party position, Karpal said he will remain Bukit Gelugor MP.

'Karpal sacrificing for party'

DAP Youth chief Teo Kok Seong meanwhile said Karpal's move was a sacrifice to defend the integrity and dignity of the party.

"We respect his decision, but all party members should continue to give their support and call for him to reconsider his decision," he said in a statement.

"For long now DAP leaders have often faced obstacles placed by the BN government through manipulating all the systems available, but Karpal Singh has never bowed down and has continued to fight for the sake of the people of Malaysia.

"DAP Youth will not allow Karpal to fight alone," he said.