DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to provide clear guidance on how the unity government parties should cooperate in upcoming elections.
Need for decisive approach
In an interview with Malaysiakini, Loke said it would be illogical for coalition partners to collaborate smoothly in Parliament while competing fiercely against one another in state assemblies.
The transport minister emphasised that Pakatan Harapan (PH), chaired by Anwar, must decide promptly on the matter.
“We need to decide on the form of cooperation – do we contest together and allocate parliamentary and state seats in an orderly manner, or do we go for a free-for-all?” he asked.
Loke stressed that PH cannot remain ambiguous.
“If we are no longer cooperating and want to fight, then let us fight simultaneously, or we cooperate all the way,” he said.
“PH cannot be ambiguous – it has to be one way or the other. If we choose to cooperate, then fight as a united front; if not, then let it be a free-for-all.”
“Whatever it is, I believe there must be a clear decision,” he added.
Lessons from past state polls
Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah were rivals in the previous Sabah state election, even though they were allies in the federal unity government.
Loke had suggested last September that state elections in the 11 Peninsular Malaysia states be held together with the 16th general election to save costs and align terms, a practice common until 2021-2022.
The 15th general election took place on November 19, 2022, but Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah postponed their state polls due to flood concerns at year-end.
Those six state elections were eventually held on August 12, 2023, while Perlis, Perak and Pahang went to the polls concurrently with GE15.
Upcoming deadlines and risks
The Melaka state assembly is due to dissolve by December this year, while Sarawak’s current term expires by February 14 next year, requiring an election within 60 days.
Loke said simultaneous federal and state elections would simplify seat negotiations among unity government parties.
If elections are held separately and parties adopt a free-for-all stance, coalition members would end up contesting against each other in state polls.
“That would certainly affect cooperation within the government,” he warned.
He pointed to the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional government, which governed federally but fought one another in Melaka, Johor and Sabah.
“So how can you continue cooperating at the federal level?” Loke asked.
