KLANG: A free-for-all situation could emerge in the upcoming Melaka state election if Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional within the unity government fail to agree on political cooperation, said Anthony Loke.
The DAP secretary-general said it is the party’s principle that it would not surrender any of its incumbent seats to its allies.
“We haven’t decided if there is an alliance (in Melaka polls). Barisan also said it hasn’t decided on cooperating with Pakatan.
“So, the principle of incumbency applies if there is political cooperation. If there is none, then it is free-for-all,” said Loke to reporters in a press conference after officiating the Selangor DAP Convention in Klang on Sunday (Jan 18).
Loke said the principle of incumbency applies in any political cooperation with any party.
“For example, in the last Selangor state election, we gave Dusun Tua to Umno. That shows our sincerity, and sometimes, it is not reciprocated,” said Loke.
During the Melaka state polls in 2021, Barisan won a two-thirds majority with Umno taking 17, MCA (two) and MIC (one).
On the other hand, Pakatan only won five seats, with DAP’s four and Amanah (one).
Dusun Tua was held by DAP’s Edry Faizal for one term from 2018 to 2023 until Umno’s Johan Abd Aziz was appointed as its assemblyman following the Selangor state polls in 2023.
Earlier, Selangor DAP chief Ng Sze Han said in his opening speech that the party would not surrender any seats to its allies in the next election.
“Stop dreaming. In the next election in Selangor, DAP will not give any seats, not a single seat will be surrendered,” said Ng.
Ng, without mentioning any parties, also criticised a certain ally for attacking the unity government more than the Opposition itself.
“They might be part of the unity government, but the things they said are even worse than the Opposition,” added Ng.
Ng also said DAP is consistent in its stance that it wants the state polls to be held concurrently with the 16th general election, which can be called by 2027.
In the Selangor state assembly, Pakatan has 35 seats, consisting of DAP’s 15, PKR’s 12 and Amanah’s 5. Barisan only has two seats via Umno.
The Melaka and Johor state election, held in 2021, is due this year and must be called by Feb 2027.
There have also been calls for the general elections to be held this year, together with the Melaka and Johor state elections that are also due next year.
