Arul perlu keluar daripada bayang Loke, bina pengaruh sendiri

After more than two decades, DAP Negeri Sembilan has been synonymous with Loke Siew Fook, said political analyst Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri. The real challenge for Nilai Adun Arul Kumar, he noted, is to build his own identity and authority without continuing to be shadowed by Loke, who remains Chief Punggol and Seremban MP.

The question is not who replaces Loke, but can Arul lead DAP Negeri Sembilan away from Loke's shadow? He said the appointment of Arul is also intriguing because an Indian leader now heads DAP in a state that has traditionally been associated with a Chinese figure. The move is not just a personnel swap, it could be an experimental breakthrough for DAP to prove multi-racial politics is more than just a slogan.

It's about building authority itself, he added. Negeri Sembilan could serve as a laboratory for DAP to test a post-Loke leadership formula, Zaharuddin said. If Arul succeeds, the party gains more than just a state chief; otherwise, the new leadership formula will be tested. "If it fails, opposition will find new ammunition that DAP's multi-racial leadership is just pretty on posters," he warned.

Loe Siew Fook, who has been Nilai Adun since 2013, was sworn in as DAP Negeri Sembilan's chief punggol on August 10 in a state executive meeting presided over by Loe in Seremban. Loe praised the selection of Arul as a positive development that proved DAP could lead a multi-racial party, with leaders judged on merit and ability. Seremban MP Lau Zhe Wei said Arul's leadership role could become more important for the party's image if he is given greater responsibilities, including becoming deputy leader or state chief.

However, he said the change of state chief would not necessarily alter DAP's political influence in states like Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Johor, where central leadership matters more. "Loe's resignation as state chief does not mean he will be sidelined or lose influence," he noted. Chin Yee Mun from Universiti Utara Malaysia said Loe's influence was expected to remain felt as he remains Punggol and Seremban MP.

"I feel Loe's aura still exists in DAP Negeri Sembilan even though he is no longer the state chief. His presence there continues to be felt," he said, adding that the change in state chief does not necessarily end Loe's influence because DAP's internal politics are more centered around central leadership.