KUALA.LUMPUR: The DAP will hold its national congress on March 20 in Shah Alam, which should see party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng relinquish his post after holding it for three terms.

       Under the party Constitution, the secretary-general can only hold the post for a maximum of three terms.

       Lim, who turned 61 last December, became secretary-general in 2004. Prior to that, he was deputy secretary-general, a position he assumed in 1995.

       National party organising secretary Loke Siew Fook said the event would also see party elections being held at the Ideal Convention Centre.

       "The party's CEC, which met on Jan 13, decided that the national congress is to be held on March 20.

       "The postponement of the national congress had previously been allowed by the Registrar of Societies due to various restrictions on interstate movement due to the Covid-19 pandemic," he said in a statement.

       He said the party would strictly adhere to all Covid-19 standard operating procedures.

       Talk was rife that Loke, who was also Seremban MP, may replace Lim.

       Loke said the new date was also fixed following advice from the ROS that the congress should be held before March 31.

       He said the delegates would also need to be physically present to be able to vote in the new CEC.

       The notice and agenda on the congress would also be sent to the delegates as required by the party Constitution.

       The DAP had last year requested the ROS to defer the congress which had been scheduled to be held on June 20, 2021, to be held after the movement control order and once interstate travel was allowed again.