KAJANG – DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook is promising a “renewal” ahead of the general election as “no one is indispensable”.
The Seremban MP said as with past elections, the party will introduce new, emerging candidates, as the party’s struggle should go beyond any individual.
“No one is indispensable. The party’s struggle must go on,” he told reporters at a food court here today, with Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming next to him.
“In every general election, there will definitely be new faces. That is part and parcel of our renewal process.”
Loke’s remark comes just two days after Ong announced he would be taking a break from frontline politics and will not be offering himself as a candidate for the looming polls.
He was asked if more incumbent DAP lawmakers will follow Ong’s footsteps after speculations emerged that another leader of the “elite faction” – rumoured to be Damansara MP Tony Pua – might sit out the polls.
Loke, however, dismissed such talk, saying he has not been informed of other MPs making such a decision.
He also said that he was informed of Ong’s decision to take a backseat from active politics in a meeting immediately after the party’s national congress in March.
“I was informed right after I took over as secretary-general. We spoke privately. But being a party leader, nothing surprises me.”
Asked if DAP has identified a potential candidate for Bangi, Loke said the matter has not been decided but Ong’s early announcement gives DAP time and opportunity to find an appropriate candidate in time for the election.
As to whether the candidate for Bangi will be among the two DAP assemblymen in the parliamentary constituency, Loke said this is not set in stone, and that any member aged above 21 will be considered.
The Bangi parliamentary constituency has three state seats – Sg Ramal, Kajang, and Balakong. PKR holds the Sg Ramal seat (Mazwan Johar) and Kajang (Hee Loy Sian) while Balakong is represented by DAP’s Wong Siew Ki. – The Vibes, May 11, 2022
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