An opposition party has called upon all political parties to condemn DAP for its 'flagrant violation' of the Federal Constitution provision on freedom of association.

Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP) pro-tem secretary-general Wee Choo Keong today said DAP's stand that former leaders of the party cannot join Keadilan is a serious violation of the principles of human rights.

"This is the DAP leadership's modus operandi . It says one thing and does another when it serves its narrow interest and political agenda," said Wee in a statement to malaysiakini .

"Other political parties should reject DAP's style of politics which is not in the national interest," he added.

Freedom of association is protected in Article 10 (1) (C) of the Federal Constitution, which provides that "All citizens have the right to form association".

Wee was responding to DAP adviser Chen Man Hin's reminder regarding the opposition's pact in 1998 not to take in disgruntled members from another party.

Chen's reminder came on the heels of former DAP Penang chief Teoh Teik Huat's resignation from the party and speculation that he would join Keadilan soon.

Teoh is currently in Bangkok on a business trip and will be back on Sunday.

He purportedly stepped down as DAP Penang chairman following the resignations of other DAP leaders like Liew Ah Kim, Fung Ket Wing and Wee before the 1999 general elections.

Teoh was also alleged by party leaders to be involved in the 'Knock Out Kit Siang' (KOKS) campaign in 1998.

Wee said that Keadilan has no backbone if it were to succumb to DAP's style of politics of practising double-standards.

"It (Keadilan) has no backbone and is not fit to be a political party if it closes its eyes to DAP's violation of the Federal Constitution," said Wee.

"It might as well dissolve and join DAP," he added.

Double-standards

Wee said the MDP was formed because its members were barred from joining Keadilan as a result of a declaration, engineered by DAP, in April 1998 by the opposition front.

Chen's statement was consistent with the leadership practising double standards and clearly shows that DAP has no respect for this principle, he added.

"Such principles are only exploited by the DAP leadership to attack others for the sake of political expediency and its selfish agenda," said Wee.

"DAP is being bogged down with its own internal problems caused by nepotism and cronyism. It is in no position to impose its selfish views on others."

Wee praised DAP MP for Nibong Tebal, Goh Kheng Huat, who said it was all right for Teoh to join Keadilan as long as he did not join a Barisan Nasional component party.

"Goh's stand is most admirable but knowing DAP's leadership mentality, Goh's political future in DAP is bleak from now on," said Wee.

"There is no room for dissent in DAP. It's a matter of time Goh would suffer the same fate as DAP's former members," he added.