DAP To Bring Calls For More Decisive, Assertive Government To Cabinet - Loke

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- DAP will convey delegates’ calls for the government and party to be more decisive and assertive to the government through Cabinet channels following its decision to remain in the Unity Government, said secretary-general Anthony Loke.

He said the calls emerged during an open debate at the 2026 DAP Party Conference, where delegates were allowed to openly voice critical views on the party and the government.

“There were some critical views which we accepted very openly. Most delegates voted to stay, but of course there were some critical views presented, calling for the government and the party to be more decisive and assertive.

“Definitely, we will bring all our aspirations and feedback from our grassroots and our delegates back to the government through our Cabinet channel,” he told a press conference after the party's conference at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here today.

Loke said the views expressed by delegates would form part of the mandate carried by the party leadership as it continues to work from within the government.

He said the party must abide by the majority decision while respecting the minority view, adding that there would be no repercussions against delegates who opposed the party remaining in government.

“We have to respect the democratic process. That’s why I brought it through a motion at the conference, and they voted for it. I respect the 12 per cent who voted against it. That is their view,” he said.

The motion to remain in the Unity Government received the support of 88 per cent of delegates who voted, with 1,857 delegates voting to remain in the government and 242 to leave, while seven ballots were spoilt out of 2,106 ballot papers issued.

Meanwhile, at the same press conference, Loke said the agenda discussed at the 2026 DAP Party Conference was not solely the party's agenda as claimed by its political rivals, but rather a shared agenda agreed upon by the government.

He said several reforms had been agreed upon not only at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition level, but also at the Federal level, including the separation of the roles of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor, limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to two terms and efforts to combat corruption.

"This (conference) is not DAP's agenda. Political opponents say we are using this conference to pressure the Prime Minister with DAP’s agenda, but DAP's agenda is one that has been jointly agreed upon in PH and the Unity Government.

"I want to emphasise that whatever reforms are being pursued, they are not solely DAP’s agenda. This is a shared agenda that was already agreed upon through the manifesto during the last election,” he added.

-- BERNAMA