Several DAP leaders are displeased with the move to postpone the party polls, scheduled to be held before September, until after the general election.

Come Sunday, the party will hold a special congress with the aim of amending a clause in the constitution to allow the polls to be deferred.

According to secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, the postponement will allow the party to concentrate on preparing for the general election, which the leadership predicts will happen this year.

However, former DAP Selangor chief Ong Chee Keng said the postponement is to prevent the grassroots from voicing their dissatisfaction at present office bearers before the general election.

As an example, he said his removal from his post in January was unconstitutional and has caused dissatisfaction among the grassroots.

'Feel threatened'

He claims that present office bearers 'feel threatened' by this and the postponement is meant to maintain the status quo so the present crop of leaders can lead the charge for the general election.

Ong said the Sarawak state election last year as well as the recent Machap and Ijok by-elections showed that Chinese voters are more inclined towards the opposition.

"(Should the top leaders perform well) they can utilise the results (of the general election) to bolster their support during the party polls," he added when contacted.

He said such postponements are not necessary as in 2003, the party held its polls despite speculation that a snap general election will be called.

"Right now, it has only been three years from the last general election. Maybe Barisan Nasional will delay the next polls until next year. So it is unnecessary to delay our polls," he added.

He said delaying the party polls will be a setback to DAP's democratic process and its preparation for the general election should not be affected by changes in the party leadership.

Justify decision

Meanwhile, DAP Melaka chief Goh Leong San said the party needs to justify the reason for the postponement and prove that such a move will enhance the party's chances in the general election.

"They (the grassroots) want to know what are the plans for the general election after the postponement," he added.

DAP is the only opposition party that is planning to postpone its party polls until after the general election.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat will be holding its polls in three weeks, while PAS will do the same next month.

On the other side of the fence, Umno and MCA have also postponed their respective party polls until after the general election.