No 'Team B' in DAP, Loke denies Zahid's claims
Firmly denying holding any sort of discussions with Zahid regarding the topic, Loke affirmed that DAP members and representatives remain united as one team guided by a shared ideal and mutual motivations...
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has disputed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s claim that the former had disclosed the existence of a “Team B” in the Pakatan Harapan component party.
Firmly denying holding any sort of discussions with Zahid regarding the topic, Loke (above, right) affirmed that DAP members and representatives remain united as one team guided by a shared ideal and mutual motivations.
“Would I do something that stupid, from a political perspective? Even if there was a Team B, why would I tell anyone else about it, let alone a leader from another party?
“There is no Team A, Team B, or Team C within DAP. There is only one - Team DAP,” Loke said in his officiating speech at the Selangor DAP Convention in Klang today.
Loke noted that while he had previously made known his disagreement with fellow party leader Yeo Bee Yin’s remarks on former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s failed house arrest application, such disputes are not considered grounds for unrest in DAP.
“In DAP, we can have differing opinions, and we will manage them internally - there is no issue there,” he added.
Yesterday, Zahid claimed that a DAP faction with opposing views from its main leadership is behind several statements made against Najib, alluding to division within the party.
“I met their secretary-general (Loke) and asked (him) why they made that statement,” he was quoted as saying at the Umno annual general assembly (AGM), reportedly hinting that Loke had told him about the “Team B” in DAP.
When asked at a press conference later today for his comments regarding the potential intention behind the deputy prime minister’s remarks, Loke said in jest that he “cannot read his (Zahid’s) mind”.
“I don’t know what his intention was. I don’t know if it was a slip of the tongue or (if it was said) intentionally. But, I’d like to remind that ‘divide and rule’ (strategies) are not applicable in DAP.
“In any coalition cooperation, there shouldn’t be attempts to divide other parties (as) we’re working together… As far as DAP is concerned, we are committed to ensuring that the coalition government can succeed,” he stressed.
Reforms and proper governance
Earlier in his speech, Loke also drew attention to the 1MDB global financial scandal, which implicated Najib, highlighting that DAP will remember the issue as one which emphasises the need for government reforms and proper governance.
The Seremban MP also referenced Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir’s recent expression of disappointment at those who continue to support individuals convicted of graft.
Loke said that while Umno leaders repeatedly claim they have to push for DAP to adhere to principles outlined in the Federal Constitution, DAP has consistently maintained its commitment to upholding the constitution, particularly its respect for the Malay rulers.
“As a Negeri Sembilan local, I uphold (Tuanku Muhriz’s) decree - those involved in major graft can never be forgiven. This is our (DAP’s) stance. We will never forget the 1MDB issue which brought down a government that had ruled for over 61 years,” he added.
As such, he pointed to Putrajaya’s commitment to introduce a historic law aimed at limiting a prime minister’s time in office to two terms as well as moves to separate the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) from the public prosecutor’s office.
Such efforts, Loke said, are being undertaken to prevent similar issues like 1MDB from occurring ever again.
Hot topic
Loke also observed that during the recent Umno AGM, DAP seemed to be a hot topic among party leaders and delegates.
“I’m here today to officiate the Selangor DAP Convention, but it feels like my speech is a winding-up address for debates at the Umno AGM (as) there were many mentions of DAP.
“Some say that since DAP joined the government, it is silent and does not dare to speak up or fight for agendas it once upheld. (But), during the Umno AGM, there were some saying that Umno must be part of the government to fight DAP.
“This shows that DAP is not silent when we hold cabinet posts - we are not apologetic about this. Whenever we have an agenda, such as those on institutional reformation and issues that affect the rakyat, we will fight for it,” Loke said.
He noted, however, that being part of the cabinet also means that negotiations and dialogues must be held to ensure a consensus can be reached.
