Why wait until July, quit govt now, group tells DAP

 

The Umno Veterans Club today urged DAP to quit the coalition government without delay, instead of waiting for the outcome of its special national congress to decide on the matter in July.

In a statement today, the group's secretary Mustapha Yaakub said the group welcomed DAP's move to reconsider its position in the government, but urged the party to act immediately.

"The veterans are confident that DAP is a party of principle and dignity. It would be most embarrassing should DAP fail to honour its word. A promise must be kept.

"The DAP leadership ought not to play games and put on a theatrical performance for its members following the heavy defeat in the recent Sabah state election.

“The leadership must prove that they are accountable for that defeat and step out of the cabinet. DAP members do not want their leaders making empty threats and hollow gestures. They want action.

"The veterans, therefore, urge DAP to take immediate steps to leave the government without the need to bring the matter up for the special congress later in July," Mustapha (above) said.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke recently said the party will hold a special congress on July 12, in which its delegates will determine whether its officeholders should step down from all government positions.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke

Sin Chew Daily reported Loke characterising the gathering as an internal “referendum”, emphasising that even if members opt to withdraw from executive roles, the party’s 40 MPs would still support the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim until the next general election.

More than 4,000 central delegates are expected to take part in the vote, making it the first occasion where such a consequential political question would be decided by the party’s top deliberative assembly rather than its central executive committee (CEC).

The DAP leader said the party cannot have it both ways, adding that if the DAP chooses to remain in the government, it must bear the responsibility and pressure of governing, and cannot govern while simultaneously opposing the government.

The Chinese daily further reported Loke as saying that DAP's move was not a threat to Anwar, as the party would not withdraw its support for the coalition government, much less participate in any "backdoor government" arrangements.

Loke also stated that he did not want anyone to suggest that the CEC members were reluctant to step down merely because of their positions or the benefits they are enjoying.

Sabah wipeout

In December last year, the CEC vowed to compile all the feedback it received from Sabah voters during the recent state election and work towards regaining public confidence.

The decision was made following the party's dismal performance in the polls, where it lost all eight seats contested, including six constituencies it previously won with large majorities in the 2020 election.

Loke had said at that time the results were a "strong and unmistakable message from the voters" and reflected a serious crisis of confidence faced by both DAP and Pakatan Harapan.

He said DAP would also work closely with Anwar to accelerate a six-month reform agenda. - Mkini