SHAH ALAM: The DAP'S 17th national congress kicked off Sunday (March 20) with what appeared to be full attendance by party delegates.

       Also attending the opening of the congress were Pakatan Harapan leaders including PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau and Amanah chief Mohamad Sabu.

       There was also an air of excitement in the air as the delegates will be voting in 30 central executive committee (CEC) members.

       It is this group of 30 elected members who will pick the DAP's new secretary-general who will chart the party's direction for the years to come.

       In his address at the congress, outgoing secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said his party admitted that it had weaknesses.

       "It is not wrong to admit it. If we are prepared to rectify our weaknesses, we can bounce back," Lim said.

       He also said DAP needed to work with its coalition partners in order to serve the people whole-heartedly as well as highlight their aspirations without fear or favour.

       "We cannot do this alone but must work together.

       "For this reason, DAP has worked with coalition partners who share our principles and ideals," he said.

       According to Lim, it was this cooperation that saw the DAP transform from being an Opposition party to a partner in power in several state governments as well as in the Federal Government in 2018.

       Lim also said the DAP was one of the few parties that did not have elected representatives resigning or defecting to other parties at the Federal level.

       He said the party won 42 parliamentary seats in the 2018 general election and all 42 MPs still remained with the party.

       On another matter, Lim said he was proud that he was vacating the party's secretary-general position after strengthening it during his tenure from 2004 to date.

       "I am proud to hand over to the new secretary-general a party that is much stronger than when I took over," said Lim.

       He pledged to fully support the new secretary-general in order for the latter to further strengthen the party.

       Lim also paid a tribute to his father, party adviser Lim Kit Siang for his years of dedication to the DAP.