Loke preaches unity, moderation with allies in DAP congress

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has promised its partners in the coalition government, especially Umno, that it would always be moderate when making decisions and policies.

Speaking at DAP’s congress, he also called on parties within the government to adopt a centrist approach to encourage voters to support the government.

“As a party that bases its ideology on social democracy, we adopt a centre-left approach and doctrine. We are not a communist party.

“Our social democracy ideology is an important approach and all parties that formed the government have to adopt the centrist approach to be the choice of the majority of Malaysians.

“When we unite in our power and bring it to the centre, it would be its gravity and will be based on moderation.

“Trust that centrist politics is a force that will defeat political extremism by the opposition,” Loke (above) said during his address at the congress held in Putrajaya today.

Loke added that there was no need for the Malays to worry about DAP because its struggles were in line with the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara.

This included upholding Islam as the religion of the federation and Malay as the national language.

Today was DAP’s first conference since cooperating with other parties and coalitions to form the government in November last year.

Among those in attendance was Umno President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who made history as the first president of the party to attend a DAP congress.

READ MORE: Zahid makes maiden visit at DAP conference

Loke stressed that the coalition government - which included 19 political parties - was the only choice for Malaysia to rise and achieve greatness in economic and social aspects.

“This is the only government that is inclusive and truly represents the aspirations of all Malaysians.

“The mission in the unity government is to ensure that this unity is successful because, for DAP, this government is the only option to rebuild our country and ensure that Malaysia rises again,” he said.

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