Loke to step down as N Sembilan DAP chief, says it's time for new blood

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke will step down as the party’s Negeri Sembilan chair after 22 years, citing his failure to defend the Chennah state seat and the party’s loss in its stronghold of Repah during the recent Negeri Sembilan polls.

Insisting that there was no pressure on him to relinquish the party’s state post, Loke described the move as his personal decision aimed at handing over the reins to a new leadership.

“That is my personal wish - to pass the baton to someone else.

“Although many have expressed their support for me (to remain in Negeri Sembilan DAP) and we managed to retain nine out of 11 seats, I feel this is the most suitable time to appoint a new chairperson,” he said.

Addressing a press conference after a DAP central executive committee (CEC) meeting at the party headquarters tonight, Loke affirmed that he will continue to lead the party as its secretary-general.

Loke, who has headed Negeri Sembilan DAP since 2004, said he would convene a state committee meeting within the next few days to table a motion on his resignation and formalise the matter.  

He added that no fresh election will be required to fill his vacancy as any existing member of the state committee could be appointed.

A record to be proud of

Reflecting on his tenure, Loke highlighted that DAP has grown significantly in Negeri Sembilan since he first shouldered the task of helming the party’s division in the state.

“When I first took on this role, we had just won two seats after previously having none. We built the party from there onwards.

“It is a record I am proud of. From our lowest ebb, after 22 years we have now established our strength in Negeri Sembilan - comparatively, we are much stronger than we were in 2004,” he said.

During the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan polls, Loke lost his bid to remain the Chennah assemblyperson for a fourth term after a close fight against his sole competitor, MCA’s Siow Kong Choon, who secured 688 more votes than the transport minister.

DAP also lost the Repah state seat, with its candidate Veerapan Superamaniam just 444 votes short against MCA’s Koh Kim Swee.

What’s next for DAP?

Loke further disclosed that the CEC had given him its full support and mandate to continue leading the party at the national level.

“I will focus on my role as the party secretary-general, with the support of the entire CEC.

“It is my responsibility to continue taking up the challenge of leading the party,” he said.

Loke’s decision comes as DAP faces mounting pressure following a series of electoral setbacks, including its wipeout in the Sabah election last November, Pakatan Harapan’s heavy defeat in Johor last month, and the coalition’s loss of the Negeri Sembilan government.

The party will now turn its attention to its Aug 16 national conference, where Loke reiterated that delegates will decide whether DAP should remain in the federal government for the remainder of its term.

Such a major decision, Loke emphasised, should be left to party delegates rather than determined solely by the party leadership.

“We leave it to the wisdom of the delegates,” he added.

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