Malaysia’s Anthony Loke quits as Negeri Sembilan DAP chief after state poll loss

Anthony Loke, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary general, has resigned as the chairman of the Negeri Sembilan DAP chapter after the recent Malaysian state election. He made this announcement following a DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting on Monday night. Loke stated that the party's performance in the election was satisfactory, as they retained nine out of the 15 seats.

He believes it is the appropriate time for a new leader to assume the role of state chairman. Loke emphasized that his decision to step down as state chairman was a personal one, not influenced by any external pressure. Many CEC members, including DAP's Malaysian Transport Minister Lim Guan Eng, had urged him to continue in the position despite his 22-year tenure as state chairman.

However, Loke chose to relinquish the responsibility as he felt it was the right time to transfer the role. He remains a three-term member of the Malaysian parliament, having represented Seremban from 2013. Despite his resignation from the state position, Loke will continue to serve as DAP's secretary general, assisted by the party leadership.

The DAP's upcoming national conference on August 16 will deliberate on a motion to determine if the party should remain in government until the end of the current parliamentary term. The decision will be made by the party's delegates rather than the CEC, reflecting the democratic process within the party.