All 40 DAP MPs Remain Firm in Support of Anwar

HANG TUAH JAYA: Resigning as Transport Minister does not mean that DAP is withdrawing its support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as all 40 of the party’s Members of Parliament remain committed to supporting the Unity Government’s leadership.

DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke Siew Fook said his decision to step down from the Cabinet was intended to express his political stance on the issue involving former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, rather than to withdraw support for Anwar.

“I am resigning as a minister, but I am not withdrawing my support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“DAP and I remain supportive of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister. This is what I want to emphasise. All 40 MPs remain united and firm in their support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said at Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Grand Finale rally in Hang Tuah Jaya here last night.

Anthony said his resignation also reflected the principles he upheld, as he had chosen to follow through on what he had previously announced.

He said he had announced the decision nearly seven weeks ago and would not delay taking action if Najib was given the opportunity to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

He also questioned the differing reactions among UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders following the announcement of his resignation.

According to him, UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously questioned when he would resign, despite having already made his position clear.

“I told Zahid that I am the DAP Secretary-General, not the MCA President. We practise what we preach. If I say I will do something, I will do it,” he stressed.

Anthony also highlighted contradictory statements among UMNO leaders, noting that while some praised his decision as principled, others linked it to an alleged challenge to or disrespect for the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He referred to a statement by UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who described his action as appearing to challenge the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as well as calls for a police report to be lodged against him.

He said such a position raised questions because the issue highlighted by DAP concerned Najib and not the royal institution.

Meanwhile, Anthony stressed that DAP’s cooperation with BN in the government did not mean the party had compromised its principles, particularly in the fight against corruption.

He further reiterated that DAP’s support for Anwar as Prime Minister remained unchanged despite his decision to relinquish his Cabinet position.

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