DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh has come to the 16th national congress in Penang with strong conviction to seal the relationship among the party and Pakatan Rakyat allies, PAS and PKR.
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In his opening speech at the congress, Karpal said that DAP backs PKR’s de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim for the premiership should Pakatan come to power after the 13th general election.

This is in response to recent calls by PAS members that their president Abdul Hadi Awang should be the one  if Pakatan seizes Putrajaya.

Karpal, however, went on to endorse PAS as an “important ally” despite despite his outspoken criticism of the party for imposing Islamic policies on non-Muslims, especially in Kelantan,

“PAS is an important ally in Pakatan. We may have differences with PAS but it is a solid, principled party,” said Karpal, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.


“What is important is not to lose sight that the enemy is Barisan Nasional. 

"We must end BN in this battle and it might be the only opportunity of replacing BN with Pakatan at the national level,” he added.

'Don't forget the veterans'

 dap national congress 151212 ubah rocket style 2Karpal said there is no doubt in his mind that Pakatan can achieve that objective especially with Penang setting the example with the effective government under the leadership of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“What has been achieved by Pakatan in Penang will be achieved in Putrajaya,” said Karpal.

He pointed out that in the past no one would have expected that DAP would cooperate with PAS, but now  the entire political scenario in Malaysia has changed.

“We, too, must change with the times or the times will change us,” he quipped.

“In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, but we must have permanent principles and DAP will hold on to those principles,” he added.

Meanwhile, Karpal also reminded delegates not to forget veteran leaders as without them the party would not have progressed to what it is today.

“If not for veterans, you will not be where you are. Don’t underestimate the power of the veterans,” he warned, to loud applause from the participants.


NONEHe named veteran leaders Lim Kit Siang, Chen Man Hin, the late P Patoo and  Fan Yew Teng, saying the party had been built with their “sweat and blood”. 

During a press conference after the speeches, secretary-general Mustafa Ali (left) said that DAP has the right to its own views on who they want as the country's PM. 

"We have our own views but have decided not to reveal it yet. In my opinion, the best time to announce the prime ministerial candidate is after the nomination." he added.

"The prime minister needs to be an elected representative but we do not know who are the candidates or who has won yet," he said.-malaysiakini