Transport Minister and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the Unity Government is confident of completing its five-year term and aims to extend Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership for at least two terms, or 10 years.
Speaking in an interview on Radio Television Hong Kong’s “Into ASEAN” programme, hosted by HKU assistant professor Dr. Brian Wong, Loke said the current administration had already established a stable coalition and is preparing for the next term.
“We’ve built a cooperative and stable system and are confident of completing the first five-year term. We will seek another five years based on this existing alliance,” he said.
He added that Malaysia is now transitioning into a more mature democratic system, noting that the Unity Government is the longest-serving administration since the political upheaval of 2018.
“Malaysia successfully transitioned power without a coup or bloodshed, which many developing countries have not achieved. Policy shifts are part of a healthy democracy,” he said.
Loke stressed that long-term governance is essential for policy continuity and stability.
On how to regain support from voters who backed PAS and Perikatan Nasional, Loke said the 2022 general election result stemmed from multiple factors, including rising living costs and corruption scandals.
“The conservative force is not a new phenomenon in our country; this ideology has existed for decades. As someone who graduated from a local university, I am well aware that many institutions of higher learning have long been dominated by conservative student organizations, so the rise of conservatism is not surprising.”
He stated that the 2022 general election results involved several factors, including the cost of living, corruption issues, and a series of past political scandals.
“In comparison, the transfer of power in 2018 was relatively singular, caused by the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal that led to the downfall of the Barisan Nasional government.”
Loke stated that the current government is highly concerned about the people’s burden with the cost of living, and will continue to introduce more policies and interventions to address the issue.
“Most importantly, we must always uphold the nation’s foundation built on multiracial, multicultural, and multireligious principles.”
