Karpal Singh and Lim Guan Eng are expected to assume the posts of DAP chairperson and secretary-general respectively at the party's annual congress this weekend.

Speculation has been rife the duo have been slated for the posts and party leaders today gave the thumbs-up for the combination.

The new line-up follows chairperson Lim Kit Siang's sudden disclosure last week that he intends to relinquish his post.

However, the grapevines have it that the veteran politician, who is also Parliamentary Opposition Leader, will be appointed as the opposition party's advisor.

Highly respected

Commenting on the speculation, DAP organising secretary Tan Kok Wai said the proposed combination was 'most suitable' for the party.

"Karpal is highly respected in society and his capabilities are unquestionable," he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby.

"Furthermore, Karpal and Guan Eng have worked closely together for so many years especially during the latter's court case. We have seen their brotherhood," he said.

Guan Eng, who is Kit Siang's son, had served an 18-month jail term after being convicted under the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publication Act.

The former Kota Melaka parliamentarian was charged in 1995 for distributing pamphlets alleging that former Malacca mentri besar Rahim Thamby Chik had sex with a minor.

Due to his conviction, Guan Eng was stripped of his MP status and slapped with a five-year ban from active political participation. The ban ended on Aug 25 this year.

On the other hand, Karpal is the Bukit Gelugor MP and a renowned lawyer. He currently holds the deputy chairperson position.

Capable leader

Describing Saturday as a 'definite occasion for the party', Tan believed that the Karpal-Guan Eng combination will receive unanimous support.

Prior to this, Tan was among three candidates mentioned for the secretary-general post. The others were acting secretary-general M Kula Segaran and deputy secretary-general Chong Eng.

However, the trio declined the post and voiced their support for Guan Eng. The post fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent Kerk Kim Hock in March.

"If Guan Eng is incapable, nobody will support him just because he is Kit Siang's son," said Tan, adding that the former also had strong ground support.

According to him, this was illustrated at a dinner last night to mark his return to active politics, where hundreds of supporters chanted 'Guan Eng secretary-general, Guan Eng secretary-general'.

Tan also said that 'reality does not allow' Kit Siang and Guan Eng to hold top positions in the party at the same time.

Party treasurer Fong Kui Lun, when met at the same venue, also expressed support for the proposed combination.

However, Kit Siang and another party leader Teresa Kok remained tightlipped on the matter.

More changes

Contacted later, Karpal refused to state if he would accept the post.

"I thank the party leaders and members for their support but this is a matter of the party that should be discussed at the right time during the congress, I don't wish to speculate now," he said.

The veteran politician said he would have to consider many things before making a decision such as his legal practice and his MP duties.

In a related development, sources said another party veteran, vice-president Tan Seng Giaw, will replace Karpal as deputy chairperson.

They added that Fong Poh Kuan was slated to take over as publicity secretary from Ronnie Liu. Fong is currently deputy publicity secretary.

Commenting on this, Liu said he would give up his post if Fong was willing to replace him. However, he declined to reveal his reasons for doing so but stressed that he was not feeling sidelined.

Fong, on the other hand, refused to comment, beyond saying 'everything has to be set in the congress'.

Chinese-language daily Nanyang Siang Pau today quoted sources saying that the three deputy secretaries-general Kula Segaran, Chong Eng and Ahmad Ton will retain their posts.