Loke bit the bullet as leader of DAP

 

YOURSAY | 'A general cannot let his soldiers face bullets while he sits behind.'

Najib’s clemency: No need to sulk, get angry over it, DAP leader says as Loke quits

KN Samy: As a political party, DAP has to listen to its core supporters. Yes, DAP, as an opposition party, was actively speaking out on all national issues and issues affecting the various communities, especially the non-Malays.

In government, DAP has to abide by the oath of office that its ministers have taken, and this change of strategy has yet to be understood by its core supporters.

DAP has been able to achieve many of its objectives by working quietly within the government. Unfortunately, these were not publicised, as the “ketuanan” (supremacist) parties are just waiting to bash the government as being controlled by DAP.

Anthony Loke was trying to “educate” his followers, but the “ketuanan” parties were also waiting to drive a wedge between DAP and the Malays at every chance.

Hence, Loke obviously did not want the Madani government to fall, but at the same time wanted to show that, on a matter of principle, his party was against giving leniency to Najib Abdul Razak, as he was proven to have mismanaged the nation's finances.

It is a symbolic gesture, and I believe sensible Malaysians should understand it.

Bangsa Malaysia: It’s a matter of principle and a strong message that DAP, especially its supporters, believe a home arrest for a felon who is an embarrassment to the country is not right.

It’s easy for Perak DAP vice-chairperson Aziz Bari and veteran lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla to say it was unnecessary for Loke to resign from his cabinet post.

Loke is still DAP secretary-general.

Whether Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming or the entire DAP ministerial team should resign is up to the supporters to decide, as they will ultimately determine whether they will support DAP again in the next general election.

Would you, Haniff, vote for DAP if the whole party resigned from the cabinet?

Bobbyo: Why should Loke resign? Did he commit any crime that he should be sentenced? What can he do, as he has no authority over Najib’s eligibility for any pardon or pardons?

Did Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh resign even after promising to resign? Also, where is he when he openly declared he would defend the royalty if it came under attack?

So Loke should continue to hold on to his position, as firstly, there is just another year left in his tenure.

DM: Haniff seems to want the government to fall and call for the next 16th general election. Loke took the helm and resigned while keeping the rest in the cabinet to avoid the collapse of the Madani government.

Haniff is asking Pakatan Harapan to make an unpopular move to bind the king’s pardon power in Parliament, knowing that it is the nail in the coffin.

So, Haniff, as a lawyer, stick to being one and don’t flame up academia with politics.

Only Truth: Haniff, you are wrong. It’s the Pardons Board that put forward the suggestion of pardoning and house arrest. Who is the person or persons?

In a notable judgment, the judge ruled that granting a pardon is not an exclusive or isolated right but an exercise of executive power acting on the advice of the Pardons Board.

Why is it always DAP? Who has been charged so far for corruption and emptying the coffers - Umno. Not a single word about this.

Headhunter: This is playing right into the hands of Umno and PAS. What was achieved at the end of the day besides weakening DAP?

Shouldn’t Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim be the one to resign? All this self-sacrifice is just a wasted opportunity to govern the country effectively and make a real difference.

WhiteHorse7513: The real issue here is whether Anwar, without informing DAP, moved Najib’s second pardon application. If true, then DAP should have withdrawn from the cabinet to save the party, not themselves as individual politicians.

I believe the pardon has indeed damaged DAP’s trustworthiness to the point that DAP will see itself suffer an irreparable decline at the polls at GE16.

RedWolf1406: It’s so easy to bully DAP and Loke. These bullies will not spare DAP or any of its leaders. It’s best for DAP to stay out of government, as DAP can never perform such a role. DAP is best at its check-and-balance role.

SecretPanda9731: Loke bit the bullet as the leader of his party. His resignation sends a strong signal that corruption cannot be tolerated. The general of an army must lead from the front and not from behind.

He cannot let his soldiers face the bullet while he sits behind. As Singapore's former premier Lee Kuan Yew declared, a leader must have the iron in him or give it up. - Mkini