BAHAU: Claims that DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke could become Negri Sembilan mentri besar are nothing more than “malicious talk” spread by political opponents, says the party leader.
The Transport Minister and DAP secretary-general said Pakatan Harapan had only one mentri besar candidate for the state election - caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, popularly known as Tok Min.
"Those are malicious claims made by those opposing us. Our mentri besar candidate is only one person, and that is Tok Min,” he told reporters when met at the KTM station here on Friday (July 24).
Loke said the matter was clear under the Negri Sembilan Constitution, which stipulates that the mentri besar must be a Malay Muslim state assemblyman.
“The candidate for mentri besar in Negri Sembilan is clearly stated under the state constitution, which requires a Malay Muslim assemblyman. I do not fulfil those requirements,” he said.
Loke was responding to Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who questioned who Pakatan’s menteri besar candidate would be if Aminuddin lost the Linggi seat, which he described as a Barisan Nasional stronghold.
Asyraf had suggested that Loke could become mentri besar, asking voters whether they wanted “a mentri besar from DAP”.
He also said Barisan had a long list of qualified candidates to be considered for the post should it secure enough seats to form the next state government, including experienced leaders and new faces with state administration experience.
