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THE Democratic Action Party (DAP) will convene a special congress on 12 July to determine whether its leaders should resign from positions in government, in what party secretary-general Anthony Loke has described as an internal referendum of unprecedented scale.
Loke said more than 4,000 central delegates are expected to vote on the motion, according to Sin Chew Daily
It marks the first time a decision of such political significance has been referred directly to the party’s highest decision-making body, rather than being determined solely by its Central Executive Committee.
The congress will decide whether DAP leaders should relinquish their posts as ministers, deputy ministers, state executive councillors, local councillors and members of government-linked companies, or remain in their current positions.
DAP has been part of the Unity Government for three years but has faced mixed public assessments of its performance.
The party suffered a significant setback in the Sabah state election last November, prompting a six-month renewal period and a reassessment of its role within the ruling coalition.
Loke said the upcoming gathering would serve as a party-wide referendum, while emphasising that DAP’s parliamentary backing for the government would remain intact regardless of the outcome.
“We have 40 Members of Parliament who will ensure the stability of the government. Whether we continue to serve as ministers and deputy ministers or resign from all positions including in local councils and government-linked companies, that will be decided by the delegates,” he said.
He added that the party’s 40 MPs would continue to support the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim until the next general election, irrespective of the congress decision. - February 20, 2026