Loke’s cryptic proverb fuels speculation following Ong Kian Ming’s exit from DAP

 

A cryptic social media post by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has prompted speculation over the person he was referring to.

Loke, who is also the Seremban MP, shared only the Malay proverb “habis madu, sepah dibuang”, which roughly describes the act of throwing something away once it is no longer considered useful.

The brief post quickly drew attention from netizens, with many linking it to Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming, who recently announced his departure from DAP.

Ong’s resignation marked the end of his 14-year association with the party, which he joined in 2012. However, he did not disclose the reason behind his decision to leave.

“Human nature. It is normal. Move on!” said netizen Gan N Roses in the comment section.

“It’s alright, Loke. Kor Ming is still here,” pointed out Akem NaqhfeefAfni, referring to the fiery Teluk Intan MP.

Then there was a philosophical Khairul Naim Raffii stating that even a stream can change course, what about the heart of men?

The comment from Shalini Zaza was equally biting.

In announcing his resignation from DAP, Ong Kian Ming made it clear that he has no immediate intention of joining another political party and will not contest in the 16th general election.

However, the former Bangi MP said he would honour a commitment he made in January to assist former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin in campaigning during GE16, should Khairy be given a parliamentary seat to contest.

Ong’s political career in DAP spanned more than a decade. He represented Serdang from 2013 to 2018 before serving as the MP for Bangi from 2018 to 2022. He was also deputy international trade and industry minister between 2018 and 2020.

Within DAP, Ong served on the central executive committee from 2019 to 2022 and was a member of the party’s Selangor state committee from 2018 until 2024.

His departure comes just two weeks after DAP delegates voted by a wide margin for the party’s ministers and deputy ministers to remain in the Federal Government for the remainder of the current parliamentary term.

Ong had been among the more outspoken figures in the lead-up to the Aug 16 vote, openly presenting arguments on both sides of the debate.

While he acknowledged the case for DAP remaining in government, he also argued that withdrawing from the Cabinet could put greater pressure on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to deliver on reform commitments.— Focus Malaysia