Government must show tangible progress.
DAP will review its place in the government if Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim fails to deliver meaningful reforms within six months, party secretary-general Anthony Loke said.
He stressed, however, that this does not mean DAP — the coalition’s largest party in Parliament — will withdraw support for the Madani administration or risk political instability.
Although Loke did not spell it out, the reassessment could involve DAP leaving the cabinet and moving to the government backbench.
“I have made it very clear today, and I hope all the media will quote this sentence — ‘DAP will not let this government fall until the next general election’.
“This is because we hold 40 seats. If (someone) withdraws just two seats, the government won’t fall; but if we withdraw all 40 seats, the government will collapse,” he said in an interview with Chinese-language YouTube channel The Keywords.
His remarks come after DAP’s heavy defeat in the Sabah state election on 29 Nov, where all eight of its candidates lost. The party’s central leadership subsequently held an emergency meeting and pledged to speed up reforms to regain public trust.
Critics have accused the formerly outspoken opposition party of becoming muted since entering government.
Loke said the government must show tangible progress and restore public confidence within the next six months.
“I’m not saying all problems can be solved in six months, but we must see some changes — enough for voters to feel this government still has hope. Public perception must be improved.
“If perception cannot be changed, then after six months we must make a decisive decision, but that decision does not mean we intend to let the government fall — absolutely not,” he said.
“After six months, whatever decision we make, we’ve already informed the prime minister that we will not withdraw our support for him, at least until the next general election.
“How we move forward, how we contest, how we prepare for the next general election — these will be discussed later.”
Acknowledging that politics is fluid, Loke said his priority is to see reforms succeed.
“We want Anwar to succeed and secure a second term, because if Anwar succeeds in reforming, it means Malaysia succeeds.”
He stressed that DAP members do not cling to government posts.
“If me resigning as minister tomorrow means the government can immediately recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), I would resign right away.
“But that’s not how it works, giving up a post does not solve all problems; there must be a proper process and plan.”
He noted that even within DAP, some members reacted strongly after the Sabah defeat, urging the party to leave Pakatan Harapan or distance itself from Anwar.
“I cannot accept such views. Members can express them, but as secretary-general, I must hold a firm position.
“If DAP cuts ties today, will that solve everything? Will we suddenly see everything implemented? That’s why I said we must give at least six months to try.
“If after that we still can’t get things done, then we can discuss whether we should remain in government.”
In the same interview, Loke said the government would introduce a new language policy within six months, which would include recognition of the UEC.
“Why has the UEC issue never been resolved? Because it has always been a political matter in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I hope Chinese voters understand that we (DAP) have not given up on pushing this forward. But within the government, or in the prime minister’s considerations, the reactions of other political forces must be taken into account.
“How do we balance everything, how do we package a policy comprehensively, and how do we solve this problem more effectively?
“So, the prime minister is proposing a new language policy that strengthens all languages, including Malay, English, and Chinese. And including Chinese means addressing the UEC issue,” he said.