Summary
- Anthony Loke apologised to DAP delegates for losing Chennah by 688 votes.
- He said DAP must continue working to win support across racial lines.
- More than 4,000 delegates will decide whether DAP remains in the Unity Government.
- Some delegates want DAP to stay but reassess its relationship with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
PUTRAJAYA, August 16 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke apologised Sunday for losing his Chennah state seat, saying the defeat highlighted the party’s continuing struggle to win broader Malay and Orang Asli support.
Loke said he contested the Malay-majority seat to demonstrate that DAP could gain support across ethnic lines. He lost by 688 votes in the recent Negeri Sembilan election.
Speaking at DAP’s national congress, Loke said recent electoral setbacks should not cause the party to abandon its multiracial goals.
More than 4,000 delegates are also deciding whether DAP should remain in the federal Unity Government for the rest of its term or leave the administration.
Loke said such a major decision should be made collectively by delegates, rather than the party’s 40-member Central Executive Committee.
