Loke apologises to DAP delegates over Chennah defeat

PUTRAJAYA: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke expressed regret to his party delegates over the loss in the Chennah state seat during the recent Negri Sembilan election. Addressing the National Congress at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Loke conveyed his profound sadness at his first electoral defeat in 22 years. "I apologize to the delegates for this loss in Chennah," he stated.

Loke contested the Malay-majority constituency to prove that DAP could win support across all communities. However, he admitted that his mission was not successful. The DAP managed to secure between 20 to 25 percent of Malay voter support and received strong backing from the Orang Asli community.

The party faces a major challenge in breaking through the barrier of racial politics to further its political journey, Loke said. The party lost the Chennah seat to Barisan Nasional's Siow Kong Choon by a margin of 688 votes, ending Loke's 13-year tenure in the constituency. Following the result, he resigned as the Negri Sembilan DAP chairman, but he continues to serve as the party's secretary-general.

Despite the defeat in Chennah and other recent electoral setbacks, Loke emphasized that these challenges should not hinder the party's progress. He urged delegates and party activists to persist in the party's multiracial mission. "We must not surrender on our dream of becoming a multiracial party embraced by all Malaysians," he concluded.