DAP would demand greater efforts to restore public confidence and deliver reforms pledged by Pakatan Harapan if delegates voted to remain in government.
PUTRAJAYA: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke today warned that the party’s decision to remain in the unity government would not amount to a “blank cheque” for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saying continued support must be matched by concrete progress on promised reforms.
Loke said DAP would demand greater efforts to restore public confidence and deliver reforms pledged by Pakatan Harapan if delegates voted to remain in government.
READ MORE: Loke apologises for Chennah defeat, says DAP must win more Malay, Orang Asli support
READ MORE: Three men arrested for alleged involvement in online scam syndicate
“If this motion is supported and if, through the vote, we remain in government, it does not mean a blank cheque to the Central Executive Committee (CEC) or the Prime Minister.
“The commitment to bring reforms and changes to regain the confidence and support of the people is the most important prerequisite,” he said during his winding-up speech after delegates debated the motion here.
Loke said DAP would use the remaining time in government to push for implementation of reforms it had already promised, stressing that these were not new commitments.
“These are reforms that we have promised. These are reforms that we have talked about. This is not a new promise,” he said.
He said the party had only about a year to push through the reforms and would closely monitor the government’s progress.
Loke said discussions on the matter had begun following the Negri Sembilan state election, including a Pakatan Harapan meeting and a face-to-face session with Anwar, during which critical views were conveyed directly to the Prime Minister.
He said Anwar had also announced that several major policy announcements would be made between now and October, including on Aug 30, Sept 16 and during the tabling of the Budget in October.
“We will continue to monitor and ensure that the people’s hopes for change and reform are translated into implementation,” he said.
Loke’s remarks came after delegates who spoke during the debate unanimously supported the motion for DAP to remain in government.
However, he stressed that the speeches would still have to be followed by a secret ballot among delegates later today.
