DAP congress votes to stay in govt

 The party’s representatives will continue serving as ministers, deputy ministers, state executive councillors, local councillors and GLC appointees.

DAP delegates gathered for a special congress at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre to vote on whether the party should withdraw or remain in the government.

PUTRAJAYA:

The majority of DAP’s delegates at its special congress today voted for the party to remain in the government.

This means the party’s leaders and representatives will continue serving as ministers, deputy ministers, and GLC appointees.

A total of 2,099 votes were counted, with 88% or 1,857 delegates voting for the party to remain in the government. The remaining 242 voted for the party to leave the administration.

Negeri Sembilan DAP secretary Cha Kee Chin announced the figures, adding that 2,223 delegates attended the special congress, which is about 52.12% of those eligible to vote.

On the delegates’ turnout, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said it was considered high.

“They are from the grassroots, from the branches. This is a common thing. Even during elections, we only reach about 70% (voter turnout),” Loke told a press conference here.

When asked about the delegates’ dissatisfaction with DAP’s cooperation with Umno and Barisan Nasional, Loke stressed that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president, had discussed the matter with Pakatan Harapan’s leadership.

“He wanted this government to remain stable. The prime minister recognises that there are differences between the parties in the Madani government. But we have to keep the government stable to ensure that what we are pushing for can be implemented.”

Loke said DAP’s reform agenda is a shared agenda within PH and the unity government.

“Most delegates voted to stay. But of course, there were some critical views presented. They wanted the government and the party to be more decisive and assertive,” he said.

Loke added that the party respected the views shared by the delegates and said he would ensure that they were conveyed to the government through the Cabinet.

DAP currently has five ministers in the Cabinet: Loke (transport), Nga Kor Ming (housing and local government), Hannah Yeoh (federal territories), Gobind Singh Deo (digital) and Steven Sim (entrepreneur and cooperatives development).

It also has seven deputy ministers: Lim Hui Ying (women, family and community development), Liew Chin Tong (finance), M Kulasegaran (law and institutional reform), Teo Nie Ching (communications), Wong Kah Woh (education), Chan Foong Hin (agriculture and food security) and Mordi Bimol (youth and sports). - FMT