Loke (centre) speaks to reporters accompanied by Jana (right) and Kong. — Photo by Kentigern Minggu

SAMARAHAN (May 9): Decisions on candidates to be fielded by the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in the upcoming Sarawak state election will be determined entirely by its Sarawak chapter, said DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke.

He said DAP Sarawak has the autonomy to decide on candidate selection, including matters on whether delegates would be allowed to contest both parliamentary and state seats simultaneously.

“When asked earlier whether there would be a reduction or a restriction on allowing delegates to contest both Parliament and the state assembly seats simultaneously, I said that the DAP Sarawak will make the decision, as it has the autonomy to decide on candidate selection,” he told reporters after the BAS.MY Kuching new routes at a shopping mall here.

Commenting on the number of candidates to be fielded, the Federal Transport Minister said the matter would only be announced after the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in due course.

“Let’s wait for now. We also do not know yet. The Sarawak Premier has not announced when the dissolution will take place. So we do not know when the election will be.

“The number of candidates will only be announced after the DUN (State Legislative Assembly) is dissolved,” he said.

He also declined to comment further on speculation and election preparations, which are expected to be clarified only after July 12.

Present during the press conference were Transport Ministry Secretary-General Dato Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan and Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Sarawak chairman Michael Kong.

Previously, Loke was reported as saying that DAP would hold a special party congress on July 12 to decide whether its leaders should resign from all government positions while continuing to support the unity government in Parliament.

A national Chinese-language news report stated that more than 4,000 central delegates are expected to vote on the proposal.

This marks the first time such a major political decision has been referred to the party’s highest decision-making body rather than being decided solely by the Central Executive Committee (CEC).

DAP, which has been part of the unity government for three years, has drawn mixed public evaluation.

A six-month reform period and reassessment of its role in the ruling coalition were prompted after the party suffered a heavy setback in the November Sabah state election.

The congress will determine whether DAP leaders should give up their posts as ministers, deputy ministers, state executive councillors, local councillors, and representatives in government-linked companies, or retain the current status quo.

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