The departure of disillusioned DAP members and leaders is the major cause of the party's failure to progress in Sarawak, said a Youth leader today.

Johor state Youth chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau said that many of these ex-DAP leaders went across to other opposition and ruling parties.

"They are often a deciding factor in DAP's losses in elections," said

Among the key leaders in Sarawak who have left the party is Sim Kwang Yang, who is now the state's Keadilan advisor.

Boo urged the party to review "the bitterness of fact" that thousands of former party leaders and members have become disillusioned with party leadership and policies.

DAP suffered a crushing defeat in Thursday's state election, losing both of its incumbent seats to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. However, party candidate Chiew Chiu Sing picked up the former DAP seat of Kidurong.

Both the party chairman Lim Kit Siang and secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock have blamed the 'fear campaign' by the BN and the lack of cooperation within the opposition for the humiliating defeat.

However, Boo said that the defeat could be caused by other reasons.

"DAP's top leaders are urged not to view the defeat lightly by oversimplifying its causes," he said.

Forget past grudges

Boo also called on the DAP leadership to "open their arms" and welcome ex-leaders and members to the party's fold. He urged current leaders to forget "past grudges".

"It is certain that the people would like to see that happen and that it is the only way to regain public confidence in the DAP," he said.

In addition to Sim, among the leaders who have left the party after clashing with party leadership in the past were Kua Kia Soong and Wee Choo Keong.

The state Youth chief added that in the party's efforts to reform and rejuvenate itself, it should "stop blaming others for one's own failure".

Boo had earlier backed the controversial call by party Youth leader Teng Chang Khim for DAP leader Kit Siang to step down and pave the way for younger leaders to take over the party leadership.