[UPDATED] DAP communists? You once sat with us: Loke slams Hadi

IPOH – DAP has trained its guns back at PAS for accusing the former of being pro-communist, reminding the Islamist party that leaders of the two political outfits used to sit on the same bench once. 

This is in reference to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s social media post yesterday that DAP is involved in pushing communist ideology in Malaysia and defined communism as a secular concept that rejects belief in God. 

In his speech at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) convention today, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke dismissed any such notion, maintaining that his party has always been one with principle. 

“Has he (Hadi) forgotten that he used to sit together with Lim Guan Eng and Lim Kit Siang? Signed documents together with DAP? 

“Maybe he has forgotten,” he said, ostensibly referring to PAS’ time with the previous Pakatan Rakyat coalition, which was disbanded in June 2015 after the Islamist party left. 

“We would like to remind (you) that DAP is a valid political party in Malaysia, formed in 1966 and is now aged 56. We remain principled in our stand,” Loke added.

Addressing over 7,000 PH delegates and supporters at the Ipoh Convention Centre tonight, Loke also pledged DAP’s support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to continue leading the opposition coalition and to lead the country. 

This puts to rest any speculation that there are cracks within PH, particularly on DAP’s acceptance of Anwar. 

Loke said his party’s support behind the PKR president is not due to his prominence, but rather for his principles and consistent struggle in fighting corruption and pushing for reforms. 

“Another important factor why DAP supports Anwar is that he is also consistent in fighting for multiracial politics in Malaysia,” he said. 

Loke said while PH accepts that Malaysia is a country with multiple ethnic groups and that the government will be headed by a Malay, he vowed that the rights of every race and religion will continue to be protected. 

“This is what we fight for: issues in the federal constitution, Islam as the federation’s official religion, Malay as the national language. DAP has signed on to this so many times.” – The Vibes, October 20, 2022