DAP’s destiny on the table as Anthony Loke leaves Unity decision to Putrajaya delegates

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has emphasized that the Party Conference should decide the fate of the party's continued presence in the Unity Government. Loke clarified that this critical decision should not be solely left to the Central Executive Committee (CEC), which consists of 40 members, but rather should be determined collectively by the conference's 4,000 delegates.

He explained that, as a party within the government, there are certain constraints and weaknesses that need to be addressed together. Consequently, the leadership has placed the decision-making power in the hands of the delegates to assess whether the party should continue its presence in the government until its term ends or act as a pressure group instead.

Loke also addressed the party's ongoing challenge in securing support from Malay voters, highlighted by his loss in the Chennah seat during the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Election. He clarified that his candidacy was not driven by personal ambition but rather to demonstrate that DAP could win the support of voters from various racial backgrounds, including Malay-majority constituencies.

Loke apologized for his defeat and emphasized his intent to win in Malay-majority areas. The DAP Party Conference, a first-time event in Putrajaya, is currently underway.