DAP votes to stay in cabinet, ending uncertainty over role in MADANI Government

DAP will remain in the government after delegates voted against pulling the party out of the administration at its special congress today.

Of the 2,099 votes counted, 1,857, or 88%, were in favour of staying in government, while 242 voted for DAP to leave.

The result means DAP’s ministers, deputy ministers and representatives on government-linked company boards will remain in their respective positions.

Negeri Sembilan DAP secretary Cha Kee Chin announced the results, saying 2,223 delegates attended the congress, representing 52.12% of those registered.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke had tabled the motion, leaving delegates to decide whether the party should continue serving in the government.

The vote came after weeks of debate within DAP over its role in the administration, particularly following Pakatan Harapan’s defeat in the Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug 1 and growing calls for faster institutional and economic reforms.

The defeat was a setback for DAP, with Loke losing his state seat after 13 years, although the party remained one of PH’s stronger performers.

All 14 delegates who took part in the debate backed the motion for DAP to remain in government before the matter was put to a secret ballot.

DAP leaders have argued that staying in government gives the party greater room to push for reforms and influence policy from within, while continuing to hold the administration accountable.

The decision also gives Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government some political stability, as the administration continues to rely on a broad coalition involving PH, Barisan Nasional and parties from Sabah and Sarawak.

DAP currently has five ministers — Loke Siew Fook (Transport), Nga Kor Ming (Housing and Local Government), Hannah Yeoh (Federal Territories), Gobind Singh Deo (Digital), and Steven Sim (Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development).

It also has seven deputy ministers: Lim Hui Ying (Women, Family and Community Development), Liew Chin Tong (Finance), M Kulasegaran (Law and Institutional Reform), Teo Nie Ching (Communications), Wong Kah Woh (Education), Chan Foong Hin (Agriculture and Food Security), and Mordi Bimol (Youth and Sports). - August 16, 2026