DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng has announced the party will hold a fresh election for its central executive committee (CEC) to prevent the party's suspension.

This follows national organising secretary Anthony Loke yesterday saying DAP is ready to comply with Registrar of Societies' (ROS) request, “under protest”.

“BN attacked us by saying we are afraid of a re-election.

“But we will hold the re-election. We are confident even with the 2012 delegates list,” China Press quoted Lim as saying at a fundraising dinner last night.

According to the report, he added the party will sue ROS over its actions.

Contacted later, Loke reiterated ROS must first decide on the details before the party holds its re-election.

“We need to seek their response. They must approve the name list of delegates.

"We cannot announce the re-election (date) as they have set prerequisite conditions on verifying the name list,”

“Now the ball is on ROS' court. That's why we seek a meeting with ROS to clarify the details,” he told Malaysiakini.

No concession to ROS

When asked, Loke dismissed the decision to comply was a concession to ROS.

“(We have made) no such concession. First, we have clarified that ROS' argument is wrong. But they have asked us to respond in 14 days, or face action.

“We don't have much choice. The re-election does not mean we give up our legal rights. No such concession (has been made),” he said, adding the priority is to maintain DAP's status as a legal political entity.

DAP had blasted the ROS for requesting a second re-election four years after the party held its first.

In Sept 2014 DAP withdrew its judicial review application against ROS, after latter's declaration in court was read: " ...the ROS recognises that the DAP CEC elected on Sept 29, 2013 may carry out all its powers, functions and duties in the administration of the daily affairs of the DAP in accordance with the constitution of the DAP".

However, a month later the ROS denied it accepted the new CEC.