DAP will hold a central executive committee (CEC) meeting within the next few weeks to decide if a party election will be called, said its organising secretary Anthony Loke.

If a party election is held this year, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must relinquish his post as secretary-general, he said.

However, Loke said Lim can still contest in the coming party election and hold any post besides that of secretary-general.

"It is not a question of stepping down, he can still contest in the CEC (election).

"Under the party constitution, (Lim can only hold the) secretary-general position for three terms. But he can serve in any other capacity," he told a press conference.

"The CEC will meet soon – in the next couple of weeks, or maybe next one or two weeks," he said.

"We need to discuss this issue in the next CEC meeting because the current term will end by Sept 29," he added.

If DAP decides against calling for a fresh election, the party can postpone the polls for a maximum of 18 months, he said.

Lim, who assumed office in 2004, is the fifth secretary-general of DAP.

On another matter, Loke said he agreed with Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong (photo) that Lim's bungalow trial has angered the Chinese.

"Of course, Mah realises that the prosecution of Lim Guan Eng will definitely create anger among Malaysian public," he said.

"This will not politically benefit Gerakan and MCA, especially in Penang. This shows Umno doesn't care for the survival of Gerakan and MCA, " Loke said.

Mah had said that Chinese votes would swing back to DAP following Lim's bungalow purchase issue.

In an interview with China Press, Mah said the Sarawak election and the June 18 twin by-elections had seen a return of some of the 85 percent of Chinese voters, who had supported Pakatan Rakyat and DAP in the 2015 general election, to the BN.

This, he said, had enabled BN to take five state seats from DAP in Sarawak and to retain the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats.

However, he said, the attitude of these voters would change after Lim's persecution.

DAP will continue to win massively in the coming general election, China Press quoted Mah as saying.

Loke declined to respond when asked about the police investigation against Perak DAP chairperson Nga Kor Ming over the alleged dedak Facebook posting that insulted the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities.

Nga allegedly on July 6 posted a caricature of children and guests receiving Aidilfitri 'duit raya' cash packets, likening it to receiving dedak or bribery.

Nga denied the alleged post was ever on his Facebook. Checks by Malaysiakini also did not find the said posting.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the police were investigating Nga under Section 298 of the Penal Code and the Sedition Act 1948, after receiving several police reports.