Four-term Nilai assemblyperson J Arul Kumar has been unanimously appointed as the new Negeri Sembilan DAP chairperson, with secretary-general Anthony Loke saying the move underscored the party’s commitment to multiracial politics.
Arul succeeds Loke, who relinquished the state chief post following his defeat in the Negeri Sembilan polls. He was the sole candidate proposed at the Negeri Sembilan DAP committee meeting this morning, and his appointment was accepted without a vote.
“I have confidence and trust in the new committee led by Arul because we are an experienced team that has worked together for a long time… I am confident that the new state committee can bring Negeri Sembilan DAP into a more successful era,” Loke told reporters after the meeting.
Loke said he would remain a member of the Negeri Sembilan DAP committee.
The DAP secretary-general also said Arul’s appointment demonstrated that the party selects its leaders based on their qualifications and capabilities, rather than race.
While the Nilai assemblyperson is not the first Indian leader to head the state chapter, Loke described his appointment as a significant milestone.
“Although most of our members are Chinese, we practise multiracial politics and do not look at a person’s skin colour.
“Today, this has been proven, as the decision was made unanimously by the DAP committee; and Arul, an Indian leader, was proposed and accepted unanimously,” he added.
Loke noted that S Sivarajan served as the state chairperson in the 1970s, while a Malay leader, Yusof Bador, held the post in 1981. However, after Yusof, the chapter was subsequently led by Chinese leaders.
Loke also rejected accusations that DAP opposed particular ethnic groups, insisting that the party would continue to champion diversity and multiracial politics.
“Although we are attacked in various ways and portrayed as a party that fights against certain races, we have never taken such a position. DAP will continue to fight based on diverse and multiracial politics,” he said.
Major responsibility
Arul said he regarded his appointment as a major responsibility following Loke’s departure as state chairperson.
He said Negeri Sembilan DAP had performed strongly over the past four elections, including the latest polls, which he described as particularly challenging for the party.
The newly elected state chairperson also pledged to continue serving the people of Negeri Sembilan despite DAP now being in the opposition.
“We are ready as elected representatives. We acknowledge that we lost in Chenah and Repah, but we will continue to serve.
“The people will judge our service, and we will do our best to provide the best possible service, even though we are in the opposition,” he said.
In the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election, Pakatan Harapan won 11 of the 36 seats, with DAP accounting for nine and PKR two.
Loke, however, lost his bid to defend the Chennah state seat for a fourth term after a close contest against his sole rival, MCA’s Siow Kong Choon, who edged him out by just 688 votes. - Mkini
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