MELAKA: DAP’s opposition to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak serving the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest does not amount to disrespect for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s constitutional powers, party secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said.
He maintained that the party’s position was directed at Najib and should not be misconstrued as a challenge to the royal institution, following accusations by several Umno leaders that DAP had acted against the Malay rulers.
“This is not about disrespecting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We respect the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“But this is our stand against Najib. It is not about the King, it is about Najib,” he said during the Jelajah Harapan Melaka Rumah Kita grand finale in Hang Tuah Jaya on Thursday night.
Loke, whose resignation as Transport Minister took effect on Tuesday following the court’s decision allowing Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence at home, said DAP continued to uphold the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara.
He rejected allegations that the party opposed the monarchy, stressing that its objections concerned political corruption rather than the authority of the Malay rulers.
“DAP upholds the Federal Constitution. We uphold the Rukun Negara and loyalty to the King and country. That is our principle.
“What we oppose today is not the King, but corrupt leaders like Najib, who was convicted and sentenced,” he said.
Loke recalled that DAP and its Pakatan Harapan (PH) partners had campaigned against Najib during the 2018 general election, which saw Barisan Nasional (BN) lose federal power.
He said the coalition’s subsequent cooperation with BN following the 2022 general election was necessary because PH had secured only 82 parliamentary seats, leaving it short of the majority required to form a government.
However, he insisted that the political arrangement did not mean the coalition had abandoned the principles behind its earlier opposition to Najib.
“When we cooperate with BN, it does not mean we have sold our principles.
“It does not mean we have forgotten what happened in our country, or forgotten Najib’s wrongdoing. That is our position,” he said.
Loke also dismissed suggestions that DAP’s stance reflected hostility towards the Malay rulers, saying its leaders had consistently respected the country’s constitutional framework.
He reiterated that the party’s political objective remained establishing a clean and accountable administration, while urging voters to preserve the principles that brought PH to power in 2018.
Despite stepping down from the Cabinet, Loke has maintained that DAP’s 40 MPs will continue to support Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the federal administration.
