{
  "id": 1196334,
  "title": "Loke apologises to DAP delegates over Chennah defeat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/loke-apologises-to-dap-delegates-over-chennah-defeat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T04:17:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1512206/loke-apologises-dap-delegates-over-chennah-defeat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nLoke 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nDespite 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.",
  "summary": "PUTRAJAYA: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has apologised to party delegates over the loss of the Chennah state seat in the Negri Sembilan election.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Loke minta maaf kalah di Chennah, akui cabaran tembusi sokongan Melayu",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/loke-minta-maaf-kalah-di-chennah-akui-cabaran-tembusi-sokongan-melayu",
        "published": "2026-08-16T03:17:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}