KLANG: DAP is seeking to contest seats it previously won in the upcoming Selangor state polls based on the principle of incumbency, says secretary-general Anthony Loke.
He said this is the party’s stance regardless of whether other parties also want to contest the same seats.
“That is our decision to continue contesting, and we cannot stop other parties from contesting.
“But other parties should not stop us from contesting as well,” he said while officiating the Selangor DAP convention here yesterday.
Loke said the principle of incumbency must be respected in any political cooperation.
“If there is political cooperation, that is the base principle.”
He cited Dusun Tua in Selangor as an example, where the party had ceded an incumbent seat to Umno.
On the coming Melaka state polls, Loke said Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional had yet to decide on a cooperation.
He cautioned that disputes could arise if both coalitions were unable to reach a consensus on cooperation.
“The principle of incumbency applies if there were to be a political cooperation.
“If there is none, then it is free-for-all,” Loke said.
The Selangor state polls must be held by Sept 19, 2028.
However, there have been talks about holding it concurrently with the 16th General Election, which could take place in 2027 or early 2028.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh recently said the state election would be held later this year, before the end of the state legislative assembly’s five-year term in December.
Meanwhile, Loke denied claims by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that there were factions within DAP.
“In DAP, there is no Team A, B or C. Only team DAP.”
Loke explained that he had merely referred to differing views within the party regarding Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s failed house arrest bid.
He said such differences are resolved internally to ensure the party remains disciplined and united.
