MALAYSIA remains in search of a lasting model of governance eight years after the collapse of its decades-old political order, with political parties continuing to navigate shifting alliances, competing interests and electoral calculations, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said.
Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, said the political landscape had undergone repeated permutations and recalibrations since 2018, leaving the country in what he described as “uncharted territories”.
“As I say, we are into uncharted territories right now,” he said.
He said the political transformation triggered by the 2018 general election had yet to produce a stable and permanent governing formula.
“After the collapse of the decades-old model in 2018, I think we are still trying to find a permanent model, a permanent model of governance in Malaysia,” Malay Mail quoted him saying.
Loke said political parties and politicians would continue making strategic calculations based on their prospects of winning elections and remaining in power.
“Political parties and politicians will continue to calculate their function. They want to maximise their political function,” he said.
“And I think from 2018 until now, we have experienced different permutations, different calibrations.
“But as far as I’m concerned, I think it’s not going to end soon. So, this will keep evolving,” he said.
Loke caught between party leadership and Cabinet responsibility
The fluid political environment has also created a difficult balancing act for Loke, who must reconcile his responsibilities as DAP secretary-general with his role as a Cabinet minister in the Unity Government.
DAP is now governing alongside former political rivals, including Barisan Nasional, requiring the party to reconcile its political positions with the collective responsibilities of government.
Asked whether DAP had changed after entering government, Loke said the party had not abandoned its positions but had to operate within the constraints of a unity administration.
“No (the party has not changed). Of course, we need to coordinate, we need to work within the constraint of a unity government,” he said.
Loke said DAP leaders would continue articulating the party’s positions, while ministers were required to uphold collective Cabinet responsibility.
“As a secretary-general, of course I have to carry the position of the party, but at the same time I’m leading the Cabinet, so I have to carry that expression in the government.
“So, I have to play that role in a very challenging way,” he said.
He said his Cabinet position meant he could not publicly criticise fellow ministers, coalition partners or government policies.
“Being part of the government, say for example, I cannot criticise another Cabinet member or the parties that are within the coalition government, that will be out of line in terms of collective responsibility,” he said. “Nor can I criticise the government’s policy, because I’m part of the government,” he added.
However, Loke acknowledged that DAP could sometimes adopt positions that differed from, or were critical of, government policies and actions.
“But at the same time, sometimes the party takes a different position, and takes a position which is critical to the government’s policy or government’s action.
“So, this is a situation where we have to face,” he said.
Loke said major decisions would continue to be referred to DAP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) so the party could arrive at a common position.
“As far as I know, I mean any major decision will be brought back to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) for a common opinion or common position and a common decision that will be made by the CEC,” he added
Political alliances unlikely to stabilise soon
Loke acknowledged that political developments could sometimes be disappointing, but said parties would continue making decisions based on their electoral interests as Malaysia adjusts to its post-2018 political reality.
The contrasting approaches taken by PH and BN in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections illustrated the challenges of maintaining cooperation between federal coalition partners at state level.
In Johor, BN contested all 56 seats independently, with state leaders citing political circumstances and grassroots sentiment, while PH subsequently announced that it would also contest all 56 seats.
In Negeri Sembilan, BN initially remained open to cooperation with PH but later decided to contest independently after PH announced plans to contest all 36 seats.
“This is something which is disappointing, but it happens.
“We have to, we just have to soldier on. We have to keep the faith alive,” Loke said.
He said political actors would continue searching for governing arrangements that could place them in control, but stressed that the final direction of Malaysian politics would ultimately be determined by voters.
“I think political parties, different political actors will continue to search for a model which everyone of course would hope that they are in charge, they want to be in control,” he said.
“I think the public has to realise what is at stake and we have to soldier on, but at the end of the day, it’s the choice of the voters.” - August 14, 2026
