The 2,500-odd delegates at the Gerakan national delegates conference were in stitches today when their president threatened to "pull down" their trousers and skirts for alleging that party leaders were corrupt.

"For those looking to accuse us of being 'fat cats' and pocketing party money for ourselves, you better not do it here or else I'll pull down your trousers," said Lim at the party's 33rd national conference, which was held at Gerakan's headquarters in Menara PGRM, Kuala Lumpur.

The women members, who were all dressed in Gerakan's white tops and navy blue bottoms, were not exempted from Lim's 'wrath'.

"If it's a woman, I will strip you off your skirts as well," said Lim, who is known for his rapid-fire humour.

However, Lim was quick to reassure party members that he was not being serious.

"I only mean it metaphorically," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Lim, who was clearly piqued by those who have continuously questioned the leadership on allegations of corruption, said the party's financial accounts were audited by reputable accounting firms.

The energy, water and communications minister added that he readily welcomed members to inspect Gerakan's "well-kept and audited" financial statements.

"Anyone can go to the fifth floor (of the party headquarters) to view them, but you cannot make copies of the documents. We are not a triad society (so) if you find anything wrong with the numbers, you can bring it up with us.

"But if there is nothing wrong, don't you try doing anything, or else I will metaphorically strip your trousers and skirts off," he said.

However, he specified that the financial statements are only available to party members for inspection.

The conference, which was attended by party leaders nationwide, began yesterday with the youth and women's division meeting, and will end tomorrow.

Merger hiccups

Earlier in his opening speech, Lim acknowledged Gerakan Youth's opposition to the idea of a merger with Chinese-based MCA.

Lim said he would explain the merger to the membership during the course of the conference.

The opening ceremony of the conference today was attended by leaders of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, of which Gerakan is a component party.

Among them were Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy, Najib Abdul Razak, as well as leaders from other BN members.

Lim has maintained that while there is a need for continued close cooperation with MCA, the merger is not likely to happen in the near future.

Gerakan Youth chairperson Mah Siew Keong, who told reporters yesterday that many of his members were against the idea, reiterated his stand today.

However, Mah qualified his opposition with a caveat.

"The objection was from the non-Chinese - and Chinese - members because they are concerned with their position in the event of a merger as MCA has insisted it will remain a Chinese-based party," he told malaysiakini after the opening ceremony.

Mah said he did not know what Lim had to relate to the membership on the matter, but said the Youth wing will find it hard to support the merger if the new entity fails to project a multiracial outlook.

"The multiracial concept of our party is the core of everything and that must not change," vowed Mah, who is also party vice president.