DAP perlu perluas sokongan melangkaui kubu tradisi menjelang PRU16, kata Loke

DAP Chief Loke Siew Fook believes the party can still secure around 80% of Chinese voters for the next general election (PRU16), while acknowledging it is a challenging target to reach 90%. Speaking to The Straits Times Singapore, Loke stressed that DAP will not take Chinese support for granted and that Malaysia's political reality necessitates collaboration with other parties, which may not always allow the party to fully pursue its goals.

"We know such situations can be disappointing, but that is the reality of Malaysian politics," he said in an interview on October 1st, published today. DAP cannot form a government alone without cooperation with others, he noted, adding that the party must advocate its cause objectively and convincingly within the existing system.

When asked about the rise of third-party power such as Bersatu, Loke said that such movements and ideologically-driven parties usually struggle to maintain momentum in Malaysian politics. "A recent example is Muda, which appeared with very idealistic goals, young candidates, and professionals," he said. However, their popularity wanes after elections.

Nevertheless, Loke did not close the door on potential cooperation with any party that could become a political ally, referencing DAP's decision to work with Umno after the 2022 general election to form a federal coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim. "I don't close the door to anyone. I believe we have reached a stage where politics needs to be more nuanced," he added.

Loke also did not rule out the possibility of DAP contesting elections independently in the future, rather than as part of Pakatan Harapan (PH). "I might prefer to keep the PH alliance," he said, but stressed that election strategies should be reassessed regularly. "We need to consider the best strategy not only for DAP but also for our allies," he stated.

He only could comment on this matter when Parliament is dissolved, he added. Loke also pointed out the severe defeat DAP suffered in the 1st of August State Legislative Election in Negeri Sembilan as something that might ultimately benefit the party. He believed the Malay unity narrative promoted by Umno and PAS could not survive in the long run, referring to the current royal crisis in the state.