DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says election campaigns must prioritise policies over personal attacks, urging discipline among government leaders
SEREMBAN: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said election campaigns should focus on the policies and offerings that parties intend to bring to the people, rather than using personal attacks.
That was why he has chosen not to launch personal attacks against any Cabinet member throughout the the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election campaign period, he added.
“We need to campaign based on what we want to offer and clarify our position. I have taken the position of not attacking any leader or bringing up anything, especially involving Cabinet ministers, because they are my colleagues in the Cabinet.
“We meet every week at Cabinet meetings and have many responsibilities that we need to carry out together,” he told reporters after a Pakatan Harapan dinner held in conjunction with the Negeri Sembilan state election here, yesterday.
Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said he had taken this position in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s advice today that individuals holding government positions should maintain discipline and refrain from attacking the Federal Government while campaigning in elections.
Loke also pointed out that he chose not to campaign in the Rantau state constituency, which is being contested by Foreign Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, in order to preserve harmony within the Unity Government.
Instead, he said his focus was on the Chennah seat, which he is contesting, as well as seats contested by DAP candidates. He is also helping Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun campaign for the Linggi seat.
In another development, Loke said his position as Transport Minister was an advantage for Chennah, dismissing claims that he had neglected the constituency due to his busy schedule as a Cabinet minister.
As a minister, he was able to channel more benefits to Chennah residents, including allocations for the implementation of Kampung MADANI projects, he explained.
“More importantly, it is what I can do for the constituency. I also have a highly dedicated full-time team to manage the constituency and assist the residents,” he added.
Early voting for the state election will be on July 28, with polling day on Aug 1.
For the latest updates on the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/n9.
