KUALA LUMPUR – DAP will not yield to pressure, provocation, or external challenges, following a call by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr. Akmal Saleh for the party’s leaders to resign from all positions in the Melaka government.
DAP Secretary-General Loke Siew Fook said the party’s direction and decisions, at both state and federal levels, are based on principles, party interests, and voter mandates, not external demands.
“DAP is not afraid of challenges; in fact, we welcome them. However, we will not act hastily due to provocation. Every decision must be made in a mature and responsible manner,” he said during the 25th Annual DAP Melaka Convention today.
He stressed that any matters relating to party positions will be discussed internally with state leadership and delegates before being submitted to the Central Executive Committee for further consideration.
Yesterday, Akmal, at the Umno Youth Special Convention at WTC Kuala Lumpur, challenged DAP to resign from all positions in the Melaka government, as the party is part of the state administration led by Barisan Nasional.
In making the call, Akmal argued that DAP's party’s participation in the Melaka state administration contradicts with his push for Umno to withdraw from the federal Unity Government and for greater Malay unity, saying “red lines” had been crossed.
Loke said DAP has the right to determine its own direction and the future of its struggle without external interference.
He also reminded members and supporters to continue strengthening the party ahead of its 60th anniversary this year.
“DAP was founded in 1966. The 60th anniversary is a historic milestone that must be celebrated as a sign of our commitment to strengthening the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, Melaka DAP chief Khoo Poay Tiong also chided Akmal for the latter's call for the party to quit the Melaka state government.
Khoo pointed out that only Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh has the power to decide state executive council appointments.
"Who is Akmal Saleh? The power to appoint state exco members lies with the chief minister, not Akmal Saleh.
"When the chief minister was sworn in in 2023, he invited DAP to be part of the state unity government. In that spirit of unity, he invited one DAP representative into the state exco, and we accepted. We have been the opposition for a long time. We are not hungry for posts," Khoo was quoted saying during the Melaka DAP convention today, reported Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
Tanjung Bidara assemblyman Rauf is the Melaka Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.
— January 4, 2026
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