KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — With party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng facing corruption charges, the DAP said there is a possibility that its party elections will be postponed beyond the current term ending September 29 this year.

DAP’s national organising secretary Anthony Loke said the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) will deliberate on the matter in its next meeting, a move that might see its leaders including Lim extend their terms in the party by as long as 18 months.

"We need to discuss this issue in the next CEC meeting because the current term is ending on September 29 this year. Under the party constitution, we enable the CEC to postpone the CEC term for another 18 months.

"If the CEC decides otherwise, not to call the election right now or to extend up to or below 18 months. That is for the CEC to decide,” he told reporters at the party’s headquarters today.

"The CEC meeting would be soon. In the next couple of weeks, maybe in the next one or two weeks. Party election will be decided by the CEC,” Loke added.

Asked if Lim will be stepping down as party secretary-general, Loke said Lim will end his three-year term on September 29, but could still serve the party in a different post.

"It is not a question of stepping down. He can still contest in the CEC. Under the party constitution, the secretary general can only serve three terms. [Lim] can serve in any other capacity [after that],” Loke added.

National publicity secretary Tony Pua also explained the party will address the public’s call for Lim to step down during its nationwide roadshow in support of the Penang chief minister.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, who is also Guan Eng’s father, had previously condemned ruling party Umno for postponing its party elections for 18 months last year amid alleged controversies faced by party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Lim Guan Eng was charged with abuse of power and corruption at the Penang High Court last month over the alleged approval of a rezoning application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land to residential.

He was also charged over his purchase of a RM2.8 million house from businessman Phang Li Koon at below market value of RM4.27 million.

He is facing a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine of five times the value of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted for the first charge and up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine and forfeiture of property upon conviction for the second charge.