DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has brushed aside concerns that the controversy involving outgoing Skudai assemblyperson Marina Ibrahim could alienate Malay voters.
Stressing that elected representatives win polls on party tickets rather than personal strength, Loke dismissed the idea that the actions of a single individual could significantly harm DAP.
“DAP is a party of 60 years. We have withstood all challenges, and no single individual is larger than the party.
“The party has always prevailed. The party is here to stay,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
Loke added that while there may be challenges and setbacks, the party’s long history of resilience proves its durability.
Former DAP politician Ronnie Liu previously warned that Marina’s sudden retirement from active politics could set back the party’s Malay outreach efforts by years.
Abrupt departure
On May 31, Marina announced her retirement from politics after just one term in office, with the 38-year-old stressing that the decision was guided by discussions with her team instead of constant political confrontations.
Responding to the announcement, Johor DAP chairperson Teo Nie Ching revealed the party’s initial plan to move Marina to another urban state seat in the Johor election, with a chairperson post at a statutory body prepared as a backup plan.
Marina has since declined to confirm the authenticity of a May 30 letter purportedly sent to Teo, which allegedly showed the former rejecting an offer to leave Skudai and contest in Tiram, and the appointment to a statutory body should she lose.
‘Malaysia for all Malaysians’
Earlier, while officiating the screening of a documentary marking DAP’s 60th anniversary at Confucian Private Secondary School, Loke said the party had long been a “punching bag” for critics from across the political spectrum.
He noted that Malay conservatives frequently accuse DAP of dominating the federal government and exerting undue influence over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, while some Chinese and Indian voters claim the party has neglected issues affecting their respective communities.
“DAP has never forgotten any parties. We are not anti-Malay - we are a party for all.
“We have not forgotten Chinese and Indian (issues). What we want is to become a Malaysian party, to become more Malaysian for all citizens,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, DAP national chairperson Gobind Singh Deo described multiculturalism as the party’s greatest strength, reflecting Malaysia’s own diversity.
Reiterating the party’s stance for a Malaysia for all Malaysians, Gobind stated that the challenge for the nation is to unify these diverse strengths to move forward as a successful country that can serve as a global example. - Mkini
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