DAP's Youth wing will decide at an emergency meeting on Sunday whether to cancel its annual congress due to opposition to a controversial proposal for direct elections.

The direct elections, the first in the party's history, are for its top five posts - Youth chief, deputy chief, two vice-chairpersons and a secretary-general.

A source close to the party said today the proposal has caused a stir among DAP Youth members as it is a departure from the current practise of the parent body.

DAP's central executive committee members are elected by delegates during their congress. The CEC in turn elects the party's leadership.

DAP Youth chief Teng Chang Khim, when contacted, said the issue of the Youth wing's direct elections will be discussed this weekend due to its urgency.

However, he did not wish to elaborate further, adding that he did not want 'to create tension within the party'.

"I have called for the meeting due to objections raised by the CEC in the press with regards to the direct elections issue," he told malaysiakini .

Youth secretary-general Hew Kuan Yau announced last week that the wing has suspended its constitution to allow the direct elections to take place.

The DAP Youth congress is scheduled for Sept 9 with about 700 delegates expected to attend the meet.

The direct elections proposal is said to be a way to democratise and revive the Youth wing which has been dormant since 1996 with a noticeable absence of branch leaders.

Teng said he had sent out notifications to all members aged below 40 to attend the congress and has received encouraging response.

Use 'wisdom'

Yesterday, DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock said the party's CEC was not informed about the suspension of the Youth wing's constitution and he hoped the wing would deal with the issue with 'wisdom'.

He said the CEC would not interfere with the youth wing unless there were complaints.

"I hope this is one issue that the wing will use its wisdom and try to resolve on its own in the best interest of the party," said Kerk.

On whether the wing's action in suspending their constitution was against the parent party's constitution, Kerk said he would have to look into the matter before commenting.

Meanwhile, Kerk also said he will not seek re-election as DAP Melaka state chairperson at the party's coming state convention.

"I find it difficult to devote the necessary and sufficient time to party affairs in Melaka due to my heavy responsibilities as the party secretary-general," he said in a press statement.