DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has urged supporters of Pakatan Harapan (PH) to cast their votes for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the six state polls to be held this year.
According to the Seremban MP, it was logical for parties in the unity government to support each other, adding that in a cooperation, it was only a given that component partners in a coalition support one another.
“It is the same for PH leaders. In the campaign for the coming state elections, we will ask our supporters to vote for BN candidates in areas where PH is not contesting,” he told reporters in a press conference in Parliament today (May 22).
Loke’s comment came following UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan’s call last Friday (May 19) for UMNO members to vote for DAP candidates in the state polls for the sake of strengthening the unity government.
According to the former UMNO secretary-general, when UMNO members join the unity government, they must adhere to party disclipline.
He said the party’s discipline ensures that the party’s instructions are followed, and while it is true that votes should remain a secret, Ahmad said his call is “not to vote in the name of the party or DAP but in the name of the unity government”.
Ahmad also noted that as the unity government was established following the orders of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, it is crucial that they abide by and remain loyal to the Agong’s order.
Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will hold their state elections in the second half of this year. – May 22, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Anthony Loke Siew Fook
