Pengerusi baharu DAP N Sembilan ikrar bina semula keyakinan rakyat

The newly elected DAP Negeri Sembilan president, J Arul Kumar, has pledged to rebuild trust among the people. At 41, Arul succeeded Loke Siew Fook, who stepped down after leading DAP Negeri Sembilan for 22 years. Arul highlighted that the party's priority is to restore public confidence, including in Repah and Chennah, two seats lost in the recent election.

"Our service must prove that we can fulfill our responsibilities. We will start immediately," he told FMT. On August 3, Loke announced his resignation as the state's president as a sign of accountability for losing two seats in the PRN election. Loke had led DAP Negeri Sembilan since 2002 and increased the party's representation from just two state seats in 2004 to 11 seats in the 2023 PRN.

Arul, who holds a degree in business management, said DAP has done good service to Negeri Sembilan while serving as an opposition party and has succeeded in earning public trust. "We must use this platform to provide better service to the people and rebuild their confidence in us," he said, adding that he has been involved in politics since 2010 after four years in education.

Arul's first task is to meet with 140 DAP branches and party members to discuss ways to strengthen the party's grassroots presence and continue efforts to advocate for policies that benefit the people. Arul, who represented Nilai DUN for four terms since 2013, also said he wants to maintain the unity built under Loke's leadership.

"That is one of our strengths compared to other parties. When it comes to serving the people, we move as one voice and as one party," he added. Arul said that while they are now the opposition, they will continue existing projects and policies that have benefited Negeri Sembilan, and will speak up when necessary. "We are now the opposition, so we will play a role in providing a balance and a proper foundation.

But a good foundation must be continued," he said. Arul and Loke plan to meet Negeri Sembilan's Chief Minister, Ismail Lasim, this week to discuss actions they can take together when there is a shared interest. Arul, who previously served with Ismail in state administration, said their personal relationship remains unchanged despite now being on opposite political sides.

"Wherever we can work together for the people, we will work together, but the people's interests must be prioritized. We are friends, but we will play our roles as a check and balance."