Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim need not bow to calls for an early dissolution of Parliament as long as he commands majority support, said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
He said the federal government was formed on that basis following the 15th general election in 2022, with 15 months remaining before the current parliamentary term expires in December 2027.
“Following the recent state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, we have heard a great deal of news and voices from various parties and quarters pressuring the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for the 16th general election.
“We have the remaining 15 months to complete the reforms,” Loke was reported to have said by The Star at the DAP Women’s national congress in Putrajaya.
On Sept 3, BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi affirmed the coalition’s commitment to holding GE16 earlier, saying this would allow the government to seek a fresh mandate from voters.
However, the Umno president also said BN was prepared to let the current parliamentary term run its full course.
PKR Youth deputy chief Nabil Halimi subsequently challenged Zahid and other party leaders to clearly state their position if they genuinely believed an early national election was needed to secure a fresh mandate.
He said Umno ministers and MPs should not appear to have “one foot” in the government and “one foot” in the opposition by embracing Perikatan Nasional at the state level while continuing to hold positions in the federal government.
Loke downplays coalition friction
Loke also reportedly played down the public friction among ruling coalition partners, saying there was a distinction between political manoeuvring and governing, as no party had left the government.
“As long as every party still sticks to the government, then in terms of governance, we should be able to govern the country.
“There is no problem. That doesn’t mean that there is no politicking. Nobody can stop any political parties or politicians from politicking,” he said.
On the upcoming Malacca state polls, Loke said DAP had yet to decide whether it wanted to work with BN.
He added that DAP was not involved in negotiations between Pakatan Harapan election director Amirudin Shari and Malacca BN chairperson Ab Rauf Yusoh. - Mkini
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