Loke coy on attempt to dissuade Guan Eng from re-election

Summary

• DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke admits he met with party chairperson Lim Guan Eng last week, but stresses that it is normal for them to hold discussions as party leaders.

• Loke, however, does not give a straight answer when asked if it's true that he tried to dissuade Lim from seeking re-election in DAP’s upcoming polls.

• Instead, the transport minister says there is no need for the details of their discussions to be made public.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke today stayed coy when asked whether he had tried to persuade party chairperson Lim Guan Eng from seeking re-election.

According to a news report, while Loke (above, right) admitted meeting with Lim last week, he stressed that it was normal for the duo to discuss party matters.

The transport minister, however, declined to reveal the content of their recent meeting.

“I often meet with Lim Guan Eng, and indeed, we met last week. He is the party’s chairperson, and I am the secretary-general. It is completely normal for us to discuss the party’s future and internal elections.

“As for the details of our conversation, there is no need to disclose them to the public,” he said, as quoted by China Press.

Loke was responding to a question from the media when met after an event in Seremban, held in conjunction with International Women's Day.

READ MORE: 'Romance of the 3 Kingdoms': Can Guan Eng survive DAP polls in March?

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Loke had met Lim in an attempt to dissuade him from defending the chairperson post while still retaining his position as a Central Executive Committee member.

Quoting sources familiar with the matter, the attempt was purportedly aimed at easing tensions within the party.

However, according to insiders, Lim remained firm in his stance, telling Loke that he would run for re-election even if it meant facing defeat in the party polls.

YOURSAY | Despite calls to step aside, DAP still needs Guan Eng

70 candidates to contest in highly anticipated DAP polls on March 16

DAP polls: Teng wants Guan Eng to stay for now, but not his sister

Sacrifices of Lim family not disputed, but it's time for new leaders: Phee

Give room to new blood - Tan, Fong withdraw from DAP polls

Kit Siang's birthday dinner: Night of celebration, subtle undercurrents

Guan Eng's associate apologises for outburst against Sim