DAP will debate a resolution calling on the party to quit the Barisan Alternatif coalition at its annual national congress this weekend.

The resolution, which states that the party should withdraw from BA and form a new political coalition excluding PAS or any other party advocating an Islamic state, was proposed by the party's Bukit Bintang Baru branch.

It was seconded by the Cheras Baru branch.

However, the resolution also added that the party should maintain an electoral pact with PAS to defeat the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in the coming general elections.

"This resolution will be the main focus of the congress. We want to see how our delegates feel about this before proceeding further," said party international secretary Teresa Kok today.

Pressure on the Chinese-based political party to withdraw from the opposition coalition has been mounting as members fear PAS' version of an Islamic state could adversely affect the rights of non-Muslims and other minorities.

However, PAS appears to be determined on setting up an Islamic state despite being told by its coalition partners that the issue was not mentioned in BA's joint manifesto.

In a separate resolution, five DAP branches have proposed that the party upholds the existence of a "secular democratic state" and breaks away from PAS if the latter insists on their objective of setting up an Islamic state.

A third resolution on the issues, which opposes any attempt by either Umno or PAS to set up their respective versions of an Islamic state, was proposed by 10 party branches.

The resolution calls on both parties to "uphold the country's basic secular state structure".

Party reforms

Meanwhile, the Bukit Bintang Baru and Cheras Baru branches have called on the party's leadership to implement measures which will attract "new blood" and give the party a new image.

The measures proposed include launching a nationwide membership drive, to set up service centres nationwide and to ensure the sufficiency of party funds.

Other resolutions include condemning MCA's acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings which it said violates the principle of press freedom.

MCA acquired Nanyang Press which publishes two Chinese dailies, Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press in late May, a deal which evoked a volley of protest from the Chinese community and several organisations.

Another resolution called for local government elections to be restored so that citizens can fully participate in formulating government policies.

Term limits

One resolution urged for the restoration of the late Lim Lian Geok's citizenship in recognition of his struggle for mother-tongue education.

Lim was a well-known Chinese educationist in the 1960s who struggled for rights to mother tongue education, resulting in his citizenship being revoked.

Yesterday, malaysiakini reported that delegates will also table a resolution to limit the tenure of the party chairperson and secretary-general to three terms, or nine years.

This follows Youth Chief Teng Chang Khim's call on national chairperson Lim Kit Siang to step down and allow younger leaders to rise up the ranks.

The two-day national congress will be held at the Federal Hotel in Kuala Lumpur and some 700 delegates are expected to attend.