Pengerusi baharu DAP N Sembilan ikrar bina semula keyakinan rakyat

J Arul Kumar, the new Pengerusi of DAP Negeri Sembilan, has vowed to rebuild public trust within the party. He assumed the role from Loke Siew Fook, who stepped down after leading DAP Negeri Sembilan for 22 years. As the successor, Arul emphasized the importance of regaining public confidence, particularly in Repah and Chennah, two seats lost in the recent general election.

"Our service must prove that we can fulfill our responsibilities," he told FMT. On August 3, Loke announced his resignation as the state's Pengerusi, citing responsibility for the loss of the two seats, including Chennah, which he had represented for three terms. Loke governed DAP Negeri Sembilan since 2002 and expanded 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, stated that DAP has served the people of Negeri Sembilan well during its tenure and has earned public trust. "We must use this platform to provide even better service to the people and rebuild their confidence in us," he said. His first task is to meet with 140 DAP branches and party representatives to discuss strengthening DAP's presence at the grassroots level and continuing efforts to advocate for policies that benefit the people.

As the party's representative for Nilai, Arul has served four terms since 2013 and said he wants to maintain the unity built under Loke's leadership. "That is one of our strengths compared to other parties," he said. He added that the party's foundations and projects benefiting Negeri Sembilan must continue, while DAP will scrutinize government actions and vote accordingly when necessary.

"We are now the opposition, so we will play a role in providing a balanced scoreboard. However, a good foundation must be maintained," he said. Arul mentioned that he and Loke will meet the Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan, Ismail Lasim, this week to discuss shared actions when there is a common interest. Arul, who has previously worked with Ismail in state administration, said their personal relationship remains unchanged despite now being on opposite political sides.

"Where we can work together for the people, we will work together, but the people's interests must be prioritized," he said.