Loke warns DAP of a ‘challenging’ GE16 as national BN-PN pact looms

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has warned his party that it faces a challenging time in the next general election (GE16), amid the growing possibility of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) forging a national alliance.

Speaking at the federal territories DAP convention, Loke said the pact between BN-PN was a new challenge in the political landscape, noting that both coalitions seek to expand this alliance nationally.

“DAP must be brave enough to face whatever challenges come our way and do the right thing, even when doing so does not necessarily bring political rewards.

“Today’s convention may be the last before we face GE16. Over the next 12 months, we must take on a lot of work and challenges, and the federal territories DAP must help defend our seats in Kuala Lumpur,” he told delegates.

Loke added that the party leadership had conducted a post mortem following the Sabah state election in November last year, when DAP lost all its seats in the state assembly.

He said several measures have been implemented to shore up DAP’s support. However, he warned that greater challenges were in store in GE16 and “the party must not back down”.

BN and PN formed an official pact in the Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug 1 and won a two-thirds majority as PH suffered a heavy defeat.

Loke was among the biggest casualties, losing the Chennah seat he had held since 2013 to MCA’s John Siow.

BN and PN have established another alliance for the Nov 14 Melaka polls, with BN contesting 23 seats and PN five.