DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook firmly dismissed claims that internal factions exist within the party, stressing that attempts to portray DAP as divided are baseless and misleading. Speaking at the Selangor DAP convention in Klang on January 18, 2026, Loke said the notion of “Team A” and “Team B” had never arisen within party discussions and was not something he had conveyed to leaders from other political parties.
Loke clarified that he had never discussed any alleged internal divisions with UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, casting doubt on the source and intent behind recent claims suggesting otherwise. He emphasised that DAP functions as a single cohesive organisation, pointing out that key leaders work collectively within the party’s central leadership structure, making the idea of rival camps implausible.
According to Loke, the concept of divide-and-rule politics does not apply to DAP, as party decisions are grounded in transparency and collective responsibility. He explained that under his leadership, all major political decisions, including those involving Cabinet deliberations or cooperation with other parties, are consistently reported back to the Central Executive Committee (CEC). This process, he said, ensures trust within the party and prevents any internal disconnect between leadership and members.
He added that if misunderstandings or misinformation arise, the appropriate approach would be to seek clarification directly from him rather than relying on speculation. Loke suggested that remarks attributed to him could either stem from miscommunication or misinterpretation, but he refrained from attributing motives to other leaders.
Addressing accusations that DAP was pushing its agenda aggressively within the unity government, Loke rejected the claim, explaining that all government policies and initiatives require Cabinet approval. He noted that DAP’s participation in government decisions follows established collective processes and does not bypass consensus among coalition partners.
Loke also took the opportunity to clarify remarks surrounding the party’s upcoming national convention scheduled for July 12, 2026. He explained that the convention would focus on reviewing DAP’s role within the unity government rather than signalling any intention to withdraw from it. He reaffirmed the party’s continued support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and urged observers to distinguish clearly between internal evaluation and political disengagement.
Earlier, Zahid had drawn public attention after claiming that Loke had mentioned the matter to him, prompting widespread discussion. Loke reiterated that such assertions did not reflect reality, maintaining that DAP remains united in its leadership and direction as it continues to operate within the ruling coalition.
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