DAP needs to rebuild its support beyond its traditional base ahead of the next general election (GE16), while retaining its core Chinese electorate, says secretary-general Loke Siew Fook.
Loke believes DAP could still command about 80% of Chinese voter support based on recent state election results, although he acknowledged that reaching 90% would be difficult.
In an interview with The Straits Times of Singapore conducted on Oct 1 and published today, Loke said DAP would never take Chinese support for granted.
He also acknowledged that Malaysia’s political reality requires consensus-building among coalition partners, meaning DAP’s vision could rarely be fully realised.
DAP must work within coalition politics
‘We know sometimes it’s frustrating to be in this kind of situation, but that is the reality of Malaysian politics,’ he said.
‘There is no way for DAP to form a government on its own without working with others. This is a reality we must accept: We can only push as far as possible, relying on objective and persuasive arguments to get things done within the system.’
On the emergence of Bersama, Loke said third forces and idealistic parties rarely manage to sustain momentum in Malaysian politics.
‘The most recent example would be Muda,’ he said, referring to the party’s emphasis on idealistic objectives, fresh candidates, young people and professionals.
‘But after the election, they are nowhere to be seen,’ he said.
Loke keeps door open to political partners
Loke said he had not ruled out working with potential partners, pointing to DAP’s decision to cooperate with Umno after the 2022 general election to form the federal government led by Anwar Ibrahim.
‘I don’t close my doors to anyone,’ he said.
‘I hold this belief that we have come to a point that politics has to be agile. Of course, not without any principle or any precondition, because it depends on the circumstances what is best for the country to move forward.’
He also did not rule out the possibility of DAP contesting the next federal election on its own instead of as part of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
‘As much as possible, I want to preserve the PH coalition.
‘But again, our electoral strategy needs to be reviewed from time to time. What is the best strategy – not only for DAP, but for our partners as well?
‘I can only answer that when Parliament is dissolved,’ he said.
Negeri Sembilan setback seen as blessing in disguise
Loke described DAP’s defeat in the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan state election as ‘basically a blessing in disguise for us’.
He said he was confident the Malay unity narrative promoted by Umno and PAS would not be sustainable, pointing to the ongoing royal crisis in the state.
On his decision to resign as transport minister over Najib Razak’s conditional pardon, and his subsequent statement that he would only leave after the former prime minister began serving the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, Loke said he was standing by his position.
‘Of course, people say that it’s an act, political, and so on.
‘But I’m sticking my head out – the moment he returns, I have to quit. I am not wishy-washy or dilly-dallying. He goes home. I leave.’
