DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the party stands firm on defending seats it previously won as the basis for fair coalition cooperation
KLANG: DAP remains firm on defending the principle of contesting seats it previously won as the main basis for seat allocation in political cooperation.
Party secretary-general Anthony Loke said the incumbent principle ensures cooperation within any coalition is carried out fairly and transparently.
“If we are cooperating as a coalition, seat allocation must be based on the incumbent principle because we made sacrifices in the last state election,” he told a media conference after the Selangor DAP Convention 2025.
He cited the Dusun Tua state seat, won by DAP but given to UMNO, as clear proof of the party’s sincerity and commitment to successful political cooperation.
Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said it was unreasonable for any party to claim DAP had never cooperated given this open sacrifice.
He said DAP had been transparent about its cooperation with UMNO within the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional Unity Government framework.
This included campaigning for UMNO candidates during by-elections as part of its commitment.
“That is why I remind all parties not to deceive themselves or the voters,” he said.
In a separate development, Loke denied the existence of any internal factions within DAP during his convention speech.
He stressed the party operates as a united team under a single leadership.
Loke also reiterated that DAP was not established to be hostile towards any party, but to bring benefits to all for the nation’s progress.
