DAP Delegates to Decide Party’s Future in Unity Government at National Conference

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 16 — The 2026 DAP Party Conference today serves as the appropriate platform to determine whether the Democratic Action Party (DAP) will remain part of the Unity Government or withdraw from the federal administration, declared DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke.

Speaking during his policy speech at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), the Transport Minister emphasized that a decision of such magnitude must be made collectively by the more than 4,000 attending delegates rather than being restricted to the 40 members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC).

“We discussed this in the CEC and decided to leave it to the delegates to determine whether the party should remain in the federal government or not. Therefore, the delegates have to make a collective decision for the party,” Loke told delegates.

Addressing the challenges faced as a member of the ruling coalition, Loke noted that administrative responsibilities inevitably carry institutional constraints and compromises that require collective evaluation.

“As a party in government, there are certainly some constraints and weaknesses that we have to bear together. Therefore, the leadership is leaving it to the delegates to assess whether we should remain in the government until the end of its term or play the role of a pressure group,” he stated.

The high-profile assembly was attended by key party figures, including DAP advisers Lim Guan Eng and Tan Kok Wai, National Chairman Gobind Singh Deo, Deputy National Chairman Nga Kor Ming, alongside the full line-up of DAP top leadership. The event also marks the first time DAP has convened its national conference in Putrajaya.

During his address, Loke openly acknowledged the party’s ongoing struggle to expand its support base among Malay voters following his loss in the Chennah state seat during the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Election. He explained that taking on the Malay-majority seat was a calculated initiative to demonstrate DAP’s multiracial appeal rather than a quest for individual political gain.

“I was unable to retain the Chennah seat. I apologise to the delegates for the defeat. I contested not for a personal victory. I contested despite the difficulties because I wanted to prove that DAP can gain the support of voters of various races and that we can win in Malay-majority areas,” Loke said.

-NMT