THE en masse resignation of DAP’s four state assemblymen from state government positions to honour their pledge of stepping down should the state constitution was amended to allow for up to seven appointed assembly members has been lauded by party loyalists who want DAP to detach itself Pakatan Harapan (PH).
This follows passing of the Melaka State Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 yesterday (July 14) by a show of hands with 23 assembly members voting in favour and five against.
“Given that we’ve rejected the motion tabled by the state government, we can’t at the same time remain in the government,” justified Melaka DAP chairman Khoo Poay Tiong.
“Therefore, DAP Melaka has decided to withdraw from the Melaka state government with immediate effect.”
The DAP quartet are as follows:
- Kesidang state assemblyman Allex Seah Shoo Chin: EXCO for Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs
- Bandar Hilir state assemblywoman Leng Chau Yen: Deputy EXCO for Women, Family and Community Development
- Kota Laksamana state assemblyman Low Chee Leong: Deputy EXCO for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security
- Ayer Keroh state assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee: Deputy Speaker of the Melaka State Assembly
Aside from the brouhaha emanating from the pot shot aimed at rightist UMNO Youth chief and Merlimau state assemblyman Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh by Khoo who is also the Kota Melaka MP, the general sentiment among DAP grassroots is such that “finally, there’re DAP leaders with some backbone but will this be enough?”
This can be gauged from the comments left behind by subscribers of Malaysiakini to the portal’s report on the matter.
One even regarded the quitting as “the way to go”. “No need to cling on positions. Ignore Anwar (PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and Loke (DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook). Both are the reason why PH lost in Johor,” he jibed.
Another deemed DAP’s action as “a smart move” while chiding “that healthy MB (Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh) says BN will go solo in Melaka elections”.
“You people have put your step before him,” he praised while another acknowledged “the fact is sooner or later, PH and BN will separate”.
“It should have been done a long time ago as it is obvious that UMNO was using the unity government to revive itself politically,” he rightly observed.
Anwar seems happy to do so in the name of unity and DAP under AL (Anthony Loke) was willing to compromise with UMNO to keep PAS out to even abandon its election promises.
Hopefully, they are truly awakened after two disastrous state election results. No more excuses. The voters now have spoken. When some PH leaders spoke up, they were pushed out.
Now, Hopefully, a re-0alignment of PKR, DAP, Amanah, MUDA, Bersama, PSM and the two state coalitions in Sarawak and Sabah will humble themselves and form a multi-racial coalition or electoral pact.
More praises came the way of the DAP quartet for “having stood up on moral principles”.
“How can we allow the state government to appoint up to seven unelected state assemblymen unilaterally without the voters’ consent?” he fumed.
“This would make a mockery out of our election process. To argue that we need these appointed assemblymen because we need professionals and experts is to tell the voters that we’re all stupid in our choice of assemblymen.”
Nevertheless, one commenter harbours hope that “if DAP can walk away from the Melaka state government, then perhaps UMNO should also consider leaving the Federal Government and let GE16 be a straight fight”.
“No more ‘we’re together today, opponents tomorrow’ politics. 😄 Let every party stand on its own two feet, campaign on its own record and let the rakyat decide,” he justified.
“If DAP believes in its support base and UMNO believes in its own, then why not meet in the ring without coalition calculators and post-election mathematics? After all, nothing tests confidence quite like facing the voters without a political safety net. 😉🇲🇾”
The bottom-line is, as another argued, “UMNO had never truly wanted to partner with PH in the first place”.
“They’re just waiting for the right time to strike. 1,400 years’ worth of history tell you when they ’cooperate’ with you. When you’re weak, aim for peace; when you’re strong, overpower them. Sounds familiar?” – July 15, 2026
