DAP hasn't missed speaking out on any issue, Loke reassures members

Summary

• Anthony Loke says DAP has not lost its voice in speaking out despite moving from the opposition bloc to govt.

• Sec-gen touts strategic ways of speaking out through dialogues and meetings, adding that solutions are more important.

• The withdrawal of the controversial constitutional amendment revoking automatic citizenship for foundlings is an example of how DAP wields power in govt, he explains.

Having transformed from a "permanent opposition" to a partner in government, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke reaffirmed that the party has not lost its voice in speaking out on various issues of concern.

In his policy speech at the 18th National DAP Congress, Loke said there have only been changes in how the party states its stand.

"Let me say this today. Today, we are in government... There is a way to speak out.

"Not only do we have to speak out, but we need to hold dialogues, have meetings. Most importantly, we need to find solutions.

"If we just speak out but the problem is not solved, what is the point? There is not one issue that we did not speak out on," he said to 3,204 delegates and leaders gathered at the Ideal Convention Centre, Shah Alam.

Seat at the table

Loke, who is also transport minister, said that DAP leaders were not only politicians but aspiring nation builders.

He pointed out that the party can now bring up issues at the cabinet meetings chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was also in attendance at the party congress today.

He said the controversial constitutional amendment that withdrew automatic citizenship from foundlings was an example of this.

Several DAP lawmakers, he said, had opposed the amendment as inhumane.

According to Loke, only four DAP MPs agreed to the amendment while the rest objected.

"I told them that if I failed to convince the prime minister, I would resign as a minister tomorrow and allow our MPs to break ranks and vote according to their conscience," he said.

Loke explained how he had brought these concerns to Anwar, who quickly resolved the matter by asking Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to delay the amendment.

"I never said I wanted to resign, nor did I threaten to withdraw support. I merely pointed out that many disagreed and asked the prime minister to consider. Within 15 minutes, the prime minister instructed Saifuddin to put the matter on hold the next day.

"What I want to express is that DAP will not trade its principles for positions. If our central committee members or MPs oppose and express dissenting views that differ from the government's stance, and I am unable to change that, I am willing to resign on the spot. I have been a minister before, lost the position, and then returned to the role,” he said.

However, Loke said the party must also be fair to the prime minister.

“Anwar is a democrat - he is willing to listen to differing views. However, speaking with the prime minister requires both skill and art - it must be done with courtesy," the Seremban MP added.

In March last year, the cabinet agreed to cancel the Home Ministry's proposal to amend the Federal Constitution after receiving significant backlash over the foundling citizenship issue.

Loke cited this achievement as an example of the diplomatic relationship he has with the Pakatan Harapan chairperson.

‘No second PM choice’

The secretary-general went on to affirm DAP’s commitment to Anwar as the prime minister, saying there was no "second candidate" for the role.

"DAP is committed to continue supporting Anwar as the prime minister after the 16th general election," Loke said.

Earlier, DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng also expressed the party's commitment to Anwar, but added that it would never be a "yes-man".

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