NILAI assemblyman J Arul Kumar has been unanimously appointed the new DAP Negeri Sembilan chairman, succeeding party secretary-general Anthony Loke with immediate effect.
The appointment followed Loke’s decision to step down from the state leadership after the recent Negeri Sembilan state election.
Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said the leadership change reflected DAP’s continued commitment to its multiracial character.
“I would like to congratulate and commend Arul Kumar, who received unanimous support from the committee members,” he told reporters at the DAP Negeri Sembilan office in Seremban today.
Loke said it was not unprecedented for DAP to be led by a leader from a different ethnic background.
He said the state chapter had previously been headed by a Malay leader, Yusoff Badur, in the early 1980s, although he did not win any of the elections he contested.
“I am confident that Arul Kumar will be able to shoulder the duties and responsibilities and contribute to the success of DAP Negeri Sembilan in providing the best possible service to the people,” he said.
Arul, meanwhile, said he would work to discharge the responsibility entrusted to him to the best of his ability.
“The responsibility ahead will be challenging after we won nine seats in the recent state election.
“Our focus is to continue providing the best possible service to the people even though we are not part of the state government,” he said. - August 10, 2026
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