FORMER MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker has slammed DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke over his response to remarks made by party colleague Yeo Bee Yin, accusing the party leadership of suppressing internal dissent and undermining democratic principles.
In a statement, Ti argued that Loke had unnecessarily escalated an already-settled issue by characterising Yeo’s comments as an “extra stab,” rather than helping to calm public sentiment.
According to Ti, Yeo’s remarks—while politically incorrect—had already been addressed through a public reprimand, which should have brought the matter to a close.
“She had paid the price. She was publicly reprimanded. That should have been the end of it,” Ti said, adding that Loke’s decision to comment further had damaged Yeo’s reputation.
Ti questioned whether DAP could still be trusted to defend minority rights and promote a level playing field, as the party has long pledged, if internal disagreement is met with public admonishment rather than open debate.
By labelling Yeo’s remarks as an “extra stab,” Ti said, the party leadership risked exaggerating the issue and sending a warning to other party members that they should speak only within “approved limits.”
He warned that such an approach could have a chilling effect across the party.
“Today it is Yeo. Tomorrow it could be any one of your 40 MPs, or anyone in a weaker position or in the minority,” Ti said.
Ti also criticised what he described as selective tolerance within a party that brands itself as democratic.
He argued that publicly delegitimising the words of an elected representative undermines that representative’s ability to serve constituents effectively.
“How do you expect Yeo to be a voice for the people when her freedom is now being curtailed from within her own party?” he asked.
Ti was responding to Loke’s comment on a recent podcast show where he cautioned against remarks that could strain ties with Umno after Yeo’s post celebrating Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s failed house arrest bid drew backlash.
According to reports, Loke said Yeo did not need to give Najib “an extra stab”, adding that the controversy was “unnecessary and could have been handled better”.
Speaking on the Chinese-language podcast The Keywords, Loke explained that DAP’s position on Najib’s legal cases was already clear, noting that the former premier’s conviction had been a catalyst for reform and contributed to Barisan Nasional’s defeat in 2018.
Before Loke’s comment, Yeo had taken to Facebook to celebrate Najib’s failed bid for a house arrest.
Yeo’s action had caused anger to many Umno members, with Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh calling for the party to end its cooperation with Pakatan Harapan. – January 12, 2026
