Six-month deadline: DAP will reassess role, but won't let Anwar fall

 

If Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim fails to deliver meaningful reforms within the next six months, DAP will reassess its role in the government, party secretary-general Anthony Loke said.

However, he was quick to stress that this does not mean DAP - which holds the largest number of federal seats in the government - would withdraw its support for the Madani administration and risk triggering political turmoil.

While Loke did not specify, the reassessment could include DAP pulling out of the cabinet and moving to the government backbench.

“I have made it very clear today, and I hope all the media will quote this sentence - ‘DAP will not let this government fall until the next general election’.

“This is because we hold 40 (parliamentary) seats. If (someone) withdraws just two seats, the government won’t fall; but if we withdraw all 40 seats, the government will collapse,” he said in an interview with Chinese-language YouTube channel “The Keywords”.

‘There must be changes’

The remarks follow DAP’s crushing defeat in the Sabah state polls on Nov 29, where all eight of the party’s candidates were wiped out.

A sabah voter casting his vote on Nov 29

In response, the party’s central leadership convened an emergency meeting, vowing to accelerate reforms to regain public confidence after critics accused the once-vocal opposition party of losing its voice upon gaining federal power.

Loke said that over the next six months, the government must demonstrate tangible change and offer hope, reversing the negative public perception.

“I’m not saying all problems can be solved in six months, but we must see some changes - enough for voters to feel this government still has hope. Public perception must be improved.

“If perception cannot be changed, then after six months we must make a decisive decision, but that decision does not mean we intend to let the government fall - absolutely not,” he stressed.

“After six months, whatever decision we make, we’ve already informed the prime minister that we will not withdraw our support for him, at least until the next general election.

“How we move forward, how we contest, how we prepare for the next general election - these will be discussed later,” he added.

Reforms priority, but changes take time

Noting that politics is fluid, Loke, who took over the secretary-general post in March 2022, said the priority is to see reforms succeed.

“We want Anwar to succeed and secure a second term, because if Anwar succeeds in reforming, it means Malaysia succeeds,” he said.

Loke emphasised that DAP members do not cling to government posts and “can give them up at any time”.

“If me resigning as minister tomorrow means the government can immediately recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), I would resign right away.

“But that’s not how it works, giving up a post does not solve all problems; there must be a proper process and plan,” he added.

He acknowledged that even DAP members have “knee-jerk reactions” following the party’s defeat in Sabah, calling for the party to leave Pakatan Harapan or distance itself from Anwar.

“I cannot accept such views. Members can express them, but as secretary-general, I must hold a firm position.

“If DAP cuts ties today, will that solve everything? Will we suddenly see everything implemented? That’s why I said we must give at least six months to try.

“If after that we still can’t get things done, then we can discuss whether we should remain in government,” he added.

UEC recognition

In the same interview, Loke said the government would introduce a new language policy within six months, which includes recognition of the UEC.

“Why has the UEC issue never been resolved? Because it has always been a political matter in Peninsular Malaysia.

“I hope Chinese voters understand that we (DAP) have not given up on pushing this forward. But within the government, or in the prime minister’s considerations, the reactions of other political forces must be taken into account.

“How do we balance everything, how do we package a policy comprehensively, and how do we solve this problem more effectively?

“So, the prime minister is proposing a new language policy that strengthens all languages, including Malay, English, and Chinese. And including Chinese means addressing the UEC issue,” he added. - Mkini