In a declaration, DAP secretary-general, Loke Siew Fook, asserted his readiness to step down from his position if party members lose confidence in his leadership. Stressing the crucial role of the secretary-general in steering the party, Loke underscored the necessity for unwavering support from members during a recent party retreat. He directly conveyed to attendees that if they are lacking confidence in him, they should seek an alternative leader. He made this remark during the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast, co-hosted by former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan.
Addressing Dissatisfaction within DAP
Acknowledging discontent among members, Loke highlighted concerns surrounding the Federal Territories Pardons Board’s decision to halve former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s graft conviction sentence to six years. Additionally, dissatisfaction arose over the conditional discharge granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for 47 graft charges. Loke questioned the feasibility of DAP withdrawing from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, emphasizing the potential repercussions of such a move on the government’s stability and the party’s strategic positioning.
Navigating Pressures and Priorities
While acknowledging the pressure to maintain support levels, Loke expressed confidence in sustaining grassroots backing through effective governance and anti-corruption measures. Despite facing constraints beyond the government’s control, he affirmed the commitment to deliver on feasible fronts. Additionally, Loke refuted comparisons with MCA’s past approaches, asserting DAP’s proactive engagement and direct communication with the prime minister, contrasting it with the perceived practices of its political counterparts.