'Unclear, immature': Loke shrugs off threats to 'fight DAP'

 

Anthony Loke is unfazed by recent vows to launch a full-on attack against DAP, with the party’s secretary-general contending that DAP would rather dedicate its time to advocating for more pressing matters involving the rakyat.

While Loke did not name the target of his remarks, he affirmed today that DAP does not fear being fought, saying: “Those who want to fight DAP have a right to do so - you can fight us, (but) we can also fight you.

“However, when we entered politics, (and) when DAP was established, it was not to fight any other party, people, or race. We entered DAP not to fight people, but to fight corruption and abuse of power, and racial (rhetoric),” Loke said at the Selangor DAP Convention in Klang.

As such, he advised party members against entertaining such attacks, urging them to instead focus on DAP’s objectives as a political platform.

“We don't have to deal with people who may have unclear directions (and) thoughts that are not very mature.

“We must remain (committed to) our duties (and) focus on our work to build the nation while helping the rakyat,” he added.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh had recently announced his resignation from the Malacca government’s executive council as part of his move to fight DAP “till the end”.

Speaking at the Umno Youth assembly on Thursday, the Merlimau assemblyperson said his decision was based on dignity, further referencing the voice of grassroots members who he said are “anxious”.

‘Wrong target’

Yesterday, a Perak Umno delegate lauded Akmal for fiercely fighting against the “disrespectful attitude” of some parties, citing the incident when DAP’s Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin had celebrated a court ruling rejecting former Umno president Najib Abdul Razak’s bid for house arrest.

Beruas Umno division chief Azhar Ahmad also said Umno has no one else to depend on without the presence of a brave youth leader like Akmal.

DAP Youth has since claimed Akmal is aiming at the wrong target, with his DAP counterpart Woo Kah Leong reminding him that his “real enemy” was Perikatan Nasional, which decimated Umno in the last general election.

While Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz applauded Akmal’s decision, he also questioned the integrity of other Umno leaders who remain in the unity government.

He cautioned that Akmal’s resignation alone will not be enough to erase the unity government’s “deception, mistakes, and the betrayal of ‘Umdap’ leaders”. - Mkini