DAP polls: Loke pledges 'bold' leadership shuffle if re-elected

Summary

• Anthony Loke pledges a "bold and major" reshuffle of the DAP's CEC if re-elected.

• Loke emphasiaes this reshuffle is to allow leaders to take on new roles, not to target anyone.

• Loke clarifies that the party election is not solely about Lim Guan Eng.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has promised a “bold and major” reshuffle of the party’s central executive committee (CEC) if he is re-elected in the upcoming party polls this Sunday.

He said that if re-elected, the CEC would undergo a major reshuffle to allow different leaders to take on new roles.

However, he stressed that this is not targeted at any individual or specific position.

"We must constantly push for change. A major reshuffle and leadership rejuvenation are inevitable, but this does not mean sacrificing anyone.

"Rather, it is about ensuring that different leaders take on different roles at different times," Loke said in a joint media interview at the party headquarters this afternoon.

He expressed confidence that all party leaders would accept these changes.

"As we enter our second term, we face new challenges that require fresh strategies. Everyone has their own role, but at different times, they must take on different responsibilities.

"I believe every leader will understand this," said the transport minister.

Loke stated that while this is his vision for the party, it ultimately depends on whether he is re-elected and the outcome of the leadership contest.

He added that this proposal is driven by the belief that while DAP is currently in a strong position with over 100 elected representatives, the party must not become complacent.

Instead, he said, DAP must maintain a sense of urgency to ensure continued growth and strength.

The Loke-Lim meeting

On March 7, Malaysiakini reported that Loke had met embattled party chairperson Lim Guan Eng in an attempt to dissuade him from defending the chairperson post while still retaining his position as a CEC member.

The following day, Loke confirmed the meeting but stayed coy when asked whether he had tried to persuade Lim from seeking re-election.

During today’s media interview, Loke once again thanked the press for their attention, coverage, analysis, and commentary on DAP over the past month.

However, he emphasised that the party congress and leadership election are not solely about Lim.

"It would be unfair to him (Lim) as well. The party election is not just about one person but about the entire party, its future direction, and how we navigate upcoming challenges," said Loke.

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