Criticise constructively, Loke tells DAP reps in BN-led states

KUALA LUMPUR – With former political foes now together in the federal unity government, DAP lawmakers in Barisan Nasional (BN)-led states were today reminded by the party’s secretary-general Anthony Loke to play their part in ensuring the administration’s continued stability.

Taking DAP and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) role as the opposition in the Melaka assembly, Loke said the situation had now changed following the formation of the unity government with political cooperation extended to the state level.

Speaking at the Melaka DAP convention, the transport minister said the party’s assemblymen there have played the crucial role of check and balance within the state assembly, but now urged them to be more constructive in their approach.

“There is a new role that we have to play and of course, it will take time and effort to adjust. I know it would be difficult for lawmakers previously in the opposition because previously there were clear lines in the state assembly.

“As the opposition, we could simply oppose and critique the government but the situation now is slightly different.

“Not that we cannot criticise, but there needs to be a new approach to criticism because officially, we are government-friendly. When we are in the same position as the government, our role needs to change and not act as the opposition,” he said in his speech at the convention.

In the Melaka election in 2021, BN won 21 out of 28 seats to command a resounding state assembly majority.

PH won five seats, with four of them from DAP and one from Amanah. Perikatan Nasional (PN) won two seats.

Loke said the federal unity government led by Anwar has the strongest majority in the Dewan Rakyat, with 148 lawmakers. Despite this, he said DAP members must not be too complacent.

This is because PN is constantly finding ways to “topple” the government, he added.

“In fact, recently they said that this government would not last, this government would crumble at any moment,” he said, referring to recent remarks by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.

“What I like to stress is that we, party leaders and members, have to play our part, always be on alert and understanding of today’s constantly changing political climate – but what is important for DAP is that we defend the current administration led by Anwar Ibrahim.

“Because if this government falls, the implications on (national) politics will be huge and we do not know what type of administration it would be if it is not under Anwar Ibrahim,” Loke said. – The Vibes, March 5, 2023