PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan’s heavyweights Anthony Loke and Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun are among the biggest casualties in the Negri Sembilan polls.
Loke, who is DAP secretary-general and Transport Minister, lost the Chennah seat to Barisan Nasional’s Siow Kong Choon.
Loke said he accepted the result and the people’s verdict.
“We tried our best to defend this seat. It was never easy from the very beginning,” he said.
Loke said he will rethink his role in the party and is considering relinquishing his position as state DAP chairman.
“Yes, I am considering, of course, to relinquish my position in Negri Sembilan DAP ... my state chairman post,” he said, adding that he will consult other party leaders before making a decision.
“As far as my role as the DAP secretary-general, of course I will discuss further with the central executive committee what is our way forward.”
Loke had held the Chennah seat since 2013. He retained the seat in the 2023 state polls with 5,888 votes, defeating Perikatan Nasional’s Rosmadi Arif.
In Linggi, former mentri besar Aminuddin was defeated by Barisan’s Mohd Faizal Ramli, who secured 9,139 votes.
Aminuddin secured 6,136 votes in the three-cornered fight, while Bersatu’s Zamri Md Said lost his deposit after securing only over 500 votes.
Aminuddin did not defend the Sikamat state seat, which he won in the 2023 state election, and had instead opted to contest in Linggi this time around.
The seat saw a three-cornered fight with Bersatu’s Datuk Zamri Md Said being the third candidate.
Aminuddin held the mentri besar post for two terms from 2018.
Speaking at a press conference with other Pakatan leaders after the results, he said he accepted the loss and the voters’ decision.
“Perhaps my report card was still insufficient and they are still not satisfied,” he said.
“Winning and losing is part of competition and in politics.”
Meanwhile, Pakatan election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the 11 seats won by the coalition proved it still retains voter support.
He said some voters did not look at the performance of the previous state government which brought in record investments, service to the public and creating thousands of jobs.
Citing an example, he said Pakatan’s manifesto has many pledges for the benefit of the people but this was never discussed or talked about.
On who should take responsibility for Pakatan’s consecutive electoral losses in Johor and Negri Sembilan, Amirudin said it was a collective one.
“We are not going to point fingers at anyone.
“Everyone takes responsibility, from the top to the bottom,” he said.
