Newly-elected DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said media statements by party leaders and the support he received prior to the party national congress influenced his decision to accept the post, even in the face of anticipated controversy.

Speaking to malaysiakini last Saturday just hours after his appointment, he said it was difficult to refuse the offer that saw him being made the party's fourth secretary-general.

"Party leaders went to the extent of making public statements that supported me. I was caught in the middle even before the national congress, in deciding whether or not to accept the post," he said.

Guan Eng secured 276 votes, which put him in 12th place among the 20 central executive committee (CEC) members elected by some 400 members. The CEC then chose the office-bearers from among themselves.

The former Kota Melaka member of Parliament said "other talented leaders were insistent" about his taking over the powerful position once held by his father, Kit Siang.

Kit Siang relinquished the national chairperson's post on Saturday and has been appointed to head a newly-created think-tank. However, this has not prevented allegations that he had been grooming his son to take over as secretary-general.

Guan Eng, 44, is also the first DAP secretary-general who is not a MP, a fact that he said had initially made him reluctant to consider the offer.

"It will make my task harder. I can't represent my party in Parliament where views are heard and answered by the government," he explained.

In an earlier interview, he had highlighted another dilemma in having to choose between spending more time with family after five years in jail or returning to active politics.

He had lost his parliamentary seat and was barred from holding political party posts after being convicted of spreading false news about alleged statutory rape by former Umno strongman Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, who was cleared of any involvement.

Collective decisions

Guan Eng said he would uphold the tradition of collective leadership during his tenure and that he would discuss plans for party reforms and direction with the CEC.

"We must have a collective decision and collective responsibility," he said.

However, he did reveal that he would push for a campaign to restore local government elections and for the DAP to make inroads into Malay areas so that it can be a party for all Malaysians.

Guan Eng said he was willing to explore the possibility of working closer - or even forming a merger - with Parti Keadilan Rakyat to strengthen the opposition ranks, especially now that former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has been freed from jail.

"We can discuss this but saudara Anwar must restore himself first in terms of his health and his political situation....he should have some time with his family first," he said.

"The DAP will continue to uphold the principle of secular democracy that is inclusive of the agenda of all Malaysians...it can't exclude any ethnic group."

Asked if he was disappointed that he had received even fewer votes than the party's maverick leader Teng Chang Kim and that he was not among the top 10 elected leaders, he shrugged this off as the choice of delegates.

"This is a democratic process. I don't think there should be comparison of the number of votes because it sounds as if we are competing. I am happy for those who received more votes than me," he said.

He also brushed off the accusation that Teng had been sidelined in the new line-up, saying that the office-bearers had been appointed through a democratic process and based on consensus.

"If the allegation of sidelining is true, then certain people may not have entered the CEC. I don't know of any campaign to boycott (Teng)... no indication of sidelining," he added.