Jangan henti khidmat kepada pengundi walau tiada jawatan rasmi, kata Loke

DAP's National Secretary Loke Siew Fook has urged DAP members in Negeri Sembilan to continue serving the people even without formal official positions. Loke emphasized that former local councilors and Community Management Committee (MPKK) members should still help those receiving assistance from them. "If a voter comes seeking assistance, do what you can to help them.

Don't say now I'm no longer part of the state or local government authority, so I can't help," he stated during a DAP National Convention in Seremban. "This is not the right approach. Even if we no longer have state responsibilities, it doesn't mean we can't do anything. We have been the opposition for decades without receiving benefits, but we have been finding ways to continue serving the people."

Loke also urged the state assemblymen and DAP MPs in the state to support the senior leadership in providing service to the community. "Even though we no longer have state responsibilities, that doesn't mean we can't do anything. We have been the opposition for decades without receiving benefits, but we have been looking for ways to continue serving the people."

DAP currently holds nine seats in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), down from 11 seats in PRN 2023 as it lost Chennah and Repah seats to the MCA in the August polls. Loke, who relinquished his DAP Negeri Sembilan secretary position after losing Chennah, also said he would not retain the seat in the state assembly when the party leadership election is held next year.

He said this move aims to give way to new faces to lead the state DAP, while also allowing him to focus on national party leadership. Loke also reflected on DAP Negeri Sembilan's progress over the last 22 years, from winning only two state seats in PRU 2004 to achieving the success of winning a parliamentary and DUN seat in the next elections, before taking over state government in 2018.

He expressed pride in having the chance to lead DAP Negeri Sembilan for 22 years and supporting the need to hand over responsibility to new leadership. "Even though I'm new as state chairman, (J Arul Kumar) has extensive experience because he has worked with me for 10 years. I am confident under Arul's leadership, DAP Negeri Sembilan will continue to progress and achieve success."

Loke also urged DAP Negeri Sembilan to prepare for any possibility arising from political uncertainty in the state, as current Chief Minister Ismail Lasim currently does not have any state assembly members to assist him. "We need to prepare for any possibility, including state elections. We don't know if that will happen. However, we need to make preparations.

"Our focus is not the problems faced by the opposition... instead, our focus should be on efforts to strengthen the party," he said.