Loke: DAP not quitting Harapan, cannot go far on its own

 

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the party will not leave Pakatan Harapan and will remain with the coalition until the end of the unity government's term.

In an interview with CNA, Loke said DAP would not be able to go far on its own, adding that the only avenue for the party to contest independently would be if it became part of the opposition.

“In the context of national politics, I do not think DAP can go far if we just go solo.

“You cannot be part of the process of nation-building. You cannot be in the process of governance.

“If we really want to effect change in a government, in society, you have to be in a position of power... I am a believer in coalition politics," Loke reportedly said.

Loke claimed that quitting the Harapan pact would play into the hands of its political opponents who “do not want DAP in government”.

In December last year, Loke announced that DAP would reassess its role in the government if Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim fails to deliver meaningful reforms within the next six months.

The six-month deadline ended last month.

Demonstrate tangible change

Loke said that during the six-month period, the government must demonstrate tangible change and offer hope to reverse negative public perception.

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.

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.

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.

As part of its reform pledge after the Sabah drubbing, DAP also pushed for the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) examination.

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Not loud enough

Loke told CNA that while DAP is “loud” on certain issues, some of its supporters feel that the party is not vocal enough.

“After becoming the government, I keep on telling them that in government, what matters is delivery.

“It’s not how loud you shout, but how much you can do within the constraints of coalition politics and within the constraints of the government,” he added.

Loke said that under Anwar’s leadership, economic growth has been consistent at about five percent per annum, adding that Malaysia’s standing on the global podium has also risen.

Anwar Ibrahim

However, he said politicians know that such efforts may not necessarily translate into support on the ground, as the public may not always feel it.

Loke said the government had to navigate the challenge of preserving stability while pushing through its reform agenda, citing stalled efforts to cap a prime minister’s tenure at 10 years and separate the attorney-general’s role from that of the public prosecutor.

On July 14, the constitutional amendment bill to separate the powers of the attorney-general and public prosecutor was pushed to the next Dewan Rakyat sitting for its second reading.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said told the Dewan Rakyat then that the government wants to inform the Conference of Rulers of the proposed amendments first.

Azalina Othman Said

The long-awaited bill was first tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 23 and later referred to a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) for further review, following concerns over structural weaknesses.

“Of course, from DAP’s point of view, we would definitely hope that there will be a faster reform pace.

“But the reality is that some people will try to kill the reform.”

DAP’s goal and ideal, said Loke, is very simple, and that is to ensure that Malaysia remains a multicultural, multi-religious, and inclusive society. _ Mkini