DAP is seeking to expand its influence in Johor, with the Pakatan Harapan component party aiming to contest in more seats during the state’s upcoming election.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke affirmed the matter in a statement today following the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting last night.
“DAP will defend all incumbent seats in Johor, and contest in several additional seats, subject to negotiations with Harapan parties by this weekend,” Loke said.
He added that DAP also intends to defend all incumbent seats in Negeri Sembilan.
A candidate selection committee has also been established to implement the selection process of candidates for the looming state polls.
The committee comprises Loke, DAP national chairperson Gobind Singh Deo, deputy national chairperson Nga Kor Ming, wanita chief Teo Nie Ching, and DAP parliamentary leader Chong Chieng Jen.
Johor assembly dissolved
On June 1, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the state legislative assembly, paving the way for the 16th state election.
During the previous state election in March 2022, DAP secured 10 out of 56 seats after fielding candidates in 14 state constituencies. PKR and Amanah, which contested in 20 and 16 seats, respectively, secured one seat each.
However, BN, which put forth candidates in all 56 seats, won a whopping 40 seats, or 71.4 percent, despite bagging just 43.1 percent of votes.
These gains were reversed in the November 2022 general election when Harapan voters returned and came out in force - helping the coalition win more than half of the Parliament seats in the state.
In a late-night press conference yesterday, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun also announced the dissolution of the state legislative assembly, with the move coming into effect today.
Following the previous August 2023 state election, DAP secured 11 out of 36 seats in the state assembly, followed by five assemblypersons from PKR and one from Amanah.
Umno has 14 incumbent assemblypersons, while PAS holds three seats to Bersatu’s two.
Deferring national conference
In his statement today, Loke also confirmed that DAP will be postponing its national conference from July 12 to Aug 16 to facilitate both state polls.
The conference was scheduled to take place after Loke earlier explained that if Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim fails to deliver meaningful reforms within the next six months, DAP will reassess its role in the government.
The transport minister noted that last night’s CEC meeting had further determined that DAP will continue to support the parliamentary bills on separating the powers of the attorney-general and the public prosecutor, as well as limiting the prime minister’s tenure.
The CEC, he added, expressed a commitment to ensure bloc vote support from all 40 DAP MPs.
They also called on all MPs to ensure the bill’s approval in the Dewan Rakyat. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.