Loke cabar BN keluar kerajaan, dakwa takut hilang pengaruh

DAP Deputy Secretary-General Loke Siew Fook challenged Barisan Nasional (BN) to step down from the federal government, despite the opposition party's claims of fear of losing political influence. During a PRN Melaka campaign rally, Loke defended the assertion by BN Chairman Zahid Hamidi that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim could dissolve Parliament earlier than finishing up the term he took as Transport Minister.

Loke stated, "The mandate for governance still lies with the Prime Minister. If one does not like it, they can leave the government. He still enjoys majority support." Loke also questioned why BN had not yet left the government, given the principle of shared responsibility that demands all parties in the government have the same standpoint.

"If you do not agree with the Prime Minister, just resign... You are accusing the government of attacking the Prime Minister in the afternoon and evening, yet you remain in the government. But they want to keep their positions in the government because they know that if they lose their positions, they will also lose political influence.

We need to see what is actually happening. Don't let them become too arrogant in Melaka. Use your vote to ensure they cannot act on their whims," Loke added. Earlier, Zahid contradicted reports of a possible reshuffle of the Cabinet following Loke's resignation as Transport Minister. Instead, he suggested that it would be better to dissolve the Cabinet, hold a general election, and form a new government. Loke resigned after former Prime Minister Najib Razak began serving his house arrest.