DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke has described the intense debate between factions in the run-up to party elections as "unhealthy".

However, he expressed confidence the party will not split even as members and leaders are labelling each other Hua Sha (Chinese chauvinist) and Ying Sha (English chauvinist), with the further tagging of "elite" and "grassroots" factions.

"The diversity in DAP is something we must celebrate instead of seeing it as a weakness. While we are pluralistic in our thinking, we have never said that we must give up our cultural roots," he added.