Loke dares BN to quit govt, but says it fears losing influence

 The DAP secretary-general fires back at BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after the latter called for an early dissolution of Parliament rather than reshuffling the Cabinet.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said BN attacks the prime minister night and day, yet remains a member of the federal government.

MELAKA:

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has challenged Barisan Nasional to withdraw from the unity government, saying it would not dare to do so for fear of losing positions and thereby political influence.

At a Pakatan Harapan ceramah for the Melaka polls in Ayer Keroh, Loke fired back at BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for saying Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should dissolve Parliament early rather than reshuffle the Cabinet following Loke’s resignation as transport minister.

“The mandate to govern is still in the prime minister’s hands. If you don’t like it, you can leave the government. He still has the majority support.

“Although I am stepping down as a minister, I have pledged that all DAP MPs will continue to support Anwar’s administration. He remains the prime minister,” he said in a speech.

Loke questioned why BN has yet to leave the government, saying the principle of collective responsibility demands that all parties in Putrajaya toe the same line.

“If you don’t agree with the prime minister, then just resign… Every day you voice disagreement, with your party attacking the prime minister night and day, yet you sit in the government.

“But they want the government positions, because they know that if they lose those positions, they would lose their influence as well.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we must see what’s really happening. Don’t allow them to be too arrogant here in Melaka. Use your votes to keep them in check,” he said.

Earlier, Zahid downplayed reports of a possible Cabinet reshuffle with the departure of Loke as transport minister, saying it would be better to just dissolve the Cabinet, allow a general election to be held, and for a new government and Cabinet to be formed.

Earlier today, Loke confirmed he was stepping down as a minister following the revised High Court order allowing Najib Razak to serve his remaining SRC International jail term under house arrest.

Loke was greeted with thunderous applause from supporters as he arrived at the ceramah here tonight, hours after announcing that his resignation takes effect today. - FMT