After being at DAP's helm for close to four decades, party chairperson Lim Kit Siang today called for a new leadership to take over the opposition party so it will remain "relevant" to all Malaysians.

"The time has come for a new DAP leadership to lead the party to continue to make it relevant to the hopes and aspirations of 25 million Malaysians for a more just, democratic, progressive and prosperous party," Lim said in his opening speech at the two-day party's 14th national congress held in Ipoh today.

The DAP supremo has been the party's secretary-general, and later chairperson - the top two key posts - in the past 35 years.

However, he has recently announced that he would step down from his chairperson position in the party's polls, also being held today.

It is expected that his son, former Kota Melaka member of parliament Guan Eng will be elected as secretary-general - the party's most powerful post. The post was vacated by Kerk Kim Hock, who resigned following his Kota Melaka defeat in the March general election.

Lim also thanked party members for backing him in the past and urged them to give similar support to the new leadership.

"The congress must send out a clear message that the party is fully united behind the new DAP leadership to chart the future of the party and that we are capable of overcoming our own differences so that we can effectively provide leadership to the people and country," he added.

Not quitting yet

Nevertheless, he stressed that he was prepared to serve in whatever other capacity called upon by the party.

"I am not about to call it quits however - in the DAP or in Malaysians politics," said the 63-year-old veteran politician, who is also parliamentary opposition leader, when ending his speech.

Lim, a consummate orator, made his 40-minute speech in three languages - Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin

At the onset of his speech, he said the congress was held in Ipoh in view of DAP's outstanding performance in Perak during the general election.

He added that Perak had been deemed as the party's second frontline state after Penang, Lim's political home-ground.

DAP won three parliamentary and seven state seats in Perak at the March polls, while Lim himself made a stunning political comeback by winning the Ipoh Timor parliamentary seat.

Lim said DAP has today re-emerged as the strongest opposition party in the Parliament and it is also the only opposition party in a number of state legislature assemblies.

However, he reminded party members that their key challenge in the next three years is to transform DAP into a more united, organised and effective political movement by "enrolling the support of Malays, youths and women".

Other challenges were to strengthen Penang and Perak as the two frontline states, extending DAP's influence in Sarawak and Sabah, to defend the Merdeka social contract, and to restore justice, freedom, democracy and good governance.

At a press conference held later, Lim was evasive when answering questions pertaining to the party.

But he spoke at length on the likely six-month suspension against party deputy chief Karpal Singh from the Parliament over the oath-taking controversy .

When asked about what advice he would give to the new leadership as an outgoing chairperson, he replied: "Let me to be out and gone first. I am still the chairperson."

To another question on why he chose to relinquish his party post when he had only recently made a political comeback, he answered: "I have said, I will not quit politics thoroughly."

Better electoral pact needed

Meanwhile, acting secretary-general M Kulasegaran in his speech urged the opposition to take steps in strengthening their forces to face the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

"We must work towards a better electoral understanding with other opposition parties in the next general election.

"We must be prepared to cooperate with other opposition and social forces on common issues regarding democracy, justice, freedom and good governance, but in no way will we compromise our basic principles on fundamental issues such as Islamic state issue," he said.

In 1999, PAS, DAP, Keadilan and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) formed an unprecedented opposition coalition, called the Barisan Alternatif.

DAP however pulled out from the coalition two years later after crossing swords with PAS over the Islamic state issue, while Keadilan and PRM merged last August as a new entity known as Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Kulasegaran said the DAP congress this year was an important event to chart the party's future directions under a new political scenario where the country is now lead by a new prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Among others, he also noted that the changes in the voters' mindset.

"The people still want DAP in the Parliament to speak up for them and safeguard their interest, but at the same time give a strong mandate to the Barisan Nasional at the state level to continue the politics of development and constituency service," he explained.

The party's central executive committee member also took the opportunity to record his appreciation to former secretary-general Kerk for his long contribution to the party.

A total of 402 out of 591 central delegates turned up at the two-day congress.

At press time, the election of 20 central executive committee (CEC) members from among 34 candidates had been completed. These 20 CEC members will in turn elect among themselves the party's office bearers.

The result is expected to be announced this evening.