DEMOCRATIC Action Party (DAP) secretary-general Anthony Loke has urged party grassroots and leaders not to be drawn into the rhythm of other political actors or be easily provoked over calls for DAP to withdraw from the Unity Government.
He stressed that DAP would not make decisions based on pressure from any quarter, but would instead chart its course based on its own assessment and the interests of the party and the voters it represents.
“Earlier, the Melaka DAP chairman, Khoo Poay Tiong, has already responded to this issue. I leave it to the Melaka DAP leadership and delegates to debate the matter, and it will be reported by the Melaka DAP chairman to the Central Executive Committee (CEC),” Anthony said when officiating the Melaka DAP Convention at LTP Restaurant here on Sunday.
The remarks followed a challenge issued on Saturday by UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who called on DAP to resign from the Melaka state government, arguing that the party is part of a Barisan Nasional-led administration. Dr Akmal made the statement during the UMNO Youth Special Convention at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
In response to the challenge, Melaka executive councillor for Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Allex Seah of DAP said in a Facebook post on the same day that he was prepared to resign should the Melaka Unity Government be dissolved.
Anthony, however, emphasised that DAP would not rush into any decision and would instead observe political developments over the next six months before making any determination.
“Within these six months, we will observe the situation and then make a decision. I do not want us to make any decision simply by following the rhythm of others,” he said.
“We do not need to follow anyone else’s tempo. What is important is that we make the best decision, not only for the party but also for the voters we represent. That is the most important thing,” he added.
He also reminded party members and leaders not to be easily swayed by provocations or challenges from other parties.
“We should not be easily provoked or challenged. It is not that we are afraid of being challenged; we have never been afraid of challenges, and in fact, we do not shy away from them,” he said.
“However, at the same time, we should not be easily provoked. We will make our own decisions. There is no need for others to tell us what we should do. What we should do is determined by ourselves, not by others,” Anthony stressed. - January 4, 2025
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