KUALA LUMPUR – Having served decades of active involvement in politics, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said he had never envisioned himself delivering a speech at the Umno headquarters.
He said this sentiment was similarly shared by other leaders in his party as he addressed thousands of delegates inside the World Trade Centre’s Dewan Merdeka for the first time here today, in conjunction with the unity government’s national convention.
“I admit that I am feeling a bit nervous. Usually, I don’t need notes on stage, but today I do,” he said.
“I am a bit anxious as I have never spoken on this stage before. This is a new experience for me. (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim may have a lot of experience, it’s like returning to his old arena after so long.”
Today’s inaugural convention comes as the federal government looks to consolidate its position amid constant attacks by the opposition ahead of the state elections.
It marks the first time that many political leaders from the Pakatan Harapan coalition have entered Umno’s headquarters, with the two entities embroiled in decades of rivalry that started with Anwar’s sacking from the cabinet in 1998.
This changed after both political outfits put their differences aside to form the unity government along with several other parties, including those from Sabah and Sarawak.
In his speech, Loke recalled the events that took place behind the scenes in the immediate days following the 15th general election on November 19 last year, which saw a political deadlock with no one party securing a majority.
Among others, the Seremban MP recounted whispering into Anwar’s ears ahead of the PKR president’s audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on November 22, giving his party’s unconditional support.
“I told him that when he goes to the palace, he can inform the Agong that he has the mandate to form the government and that we have no conditions. He is free to form the government with any party he likes.
“This was the mandate given by friends in my party to Anwar,” he said.
Loke then noted how the other major coalitions, including Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, had similarly informed the palace of their intention to accede to the king’s demand for a unity government.
This, he said, was done with the rakyat at the forefront of their minds.
“What is clear is that all the parties in this hall support the principle of the Rukun Negara, which is ‘kesetiaan kepada raja dan negara (loyalty to the king and country)’.”
Separately, Loke rubbished allegations that the current government is dominated by DAP.
He pointed out that of the 148 MPs, 77 of those are Muslim Bumiputera citizens, 16 are non-Muslim Bumiputeras, 43 are Chinese, and 12 Indians and others.
“What this means is the majority in the government is still made of Malay-Muslim and Bumiputera MPs.” – The Vibes, May 14, 2023
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