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DEMOCRATIC Action Party secretary-general Anthony Loke has rejected assertions that there is a so-called ‘Team B’ within DAP, describing the claim attributed to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as baseless and irrational.
Speaking at the Selangor DAP Annual Convention 2026 on Sunday, Loke said he had never made such a statement and had not told Ahmad Zahid that factions existed within his party.
“Does it make sense for me to say such a thing? It would be foolish of me to be in politics only to tell others that there is a ‘Team B’ in my own party, and then inform another party about it. I strongly deny this and I have never said this to Zahid,” he said.
Loke stressed that DAP does not operate on factional lines.
“In DAP there is no Team A, Team B or Team C. We only have one team, which is Team DAP,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, had claimed during his winding-up speech at the Umno General Assembly 2025 that statements contradicting DAP’s central leadership originated from a ‘Team B’ within the party, adding that this information had been conveyed to him by Loke.
“Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan asked why Umno should fear DAP… those making all kinds of statements are from ‘Team B’ in DAP. They have a Team B too. I met the secretary-general myself, Anthony Loke,” Zahid was quoted as saying.
Responding further, Loke clarified that he had previously expressed disagreement with remarks made by DAP national publicity secretary Yeo Bee Yin, which were perceived by some as celebratory following the decision that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would continue serving his prison sentence in Kajang.
“I did say in a podcast that such an approach was unnecessary. There was no need to cheer,” he said. “Within DAP, there can be differences of opinion, but we manage them internally, through meetings.”
He emphasised that outwardly, DAP remains cohesive and disciplined.
“Externally, we are a united and disciplined party, and no one can divide us. What is being attempted here is an old tactic of ‘divide and rule’. It may work on other parties, but it will not work on DAP,” he said.
Loke added that regardless of external narratives, DAP, as a party within the federal government, remains united with strong leadership and collective discipline. - January 18, 2026