SHAH ALAM – DAP has dismissed claims that the absence of Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives at its 18th congress today was due to a boycott.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke clarified that the congress was organised exclusively for Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition members.
“This is more of a gathering within PH. Sometimes, we invite (other component parties in the unity government),” he said.
“However, for this congress, we did not invite Umno, BN, or other coalitions. Similarly, BN’s convention only invited its component parties.
“There is no issue between DAP and BN. At times, we only involve our own components, and this is common practice.
“Even GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) holds its own gatherings, and BN does the same,” he said at a press conference today.
Previously, media reports suggested tensions between DAP and Umno following disagreements involving top leaders from both parties.
Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng recently stated that his future in DAP would be decided by party members, not Umno.
His remarks were in response to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who had earlier this year criticised the former finance minister, suggesting that his political era had ended.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the BN chairman, appeared to indicate that Guan Eng was no longer part of DAP’s leadership.
The former Penang chief minister also reminded Ahmad Zahid that DAP is not a BN component party but part of PH.
In a separate development, Loke said DAP would mobilise its party machinery to support BN’s candidate representing the unity government in the Ayer Kuning state by-election in Perak.
“This has always been our practice. In any by-election involving parties in the unity government, we will provide support.
“Just as they assisted us in the Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election previously, we will certainly do the same in Ayer Kuning,” he said.
The Ayer Kuning by-election is scheduled for 26 April following the death of its assemblyman, Ishsam Shahruddin, 58, who passed away on 22 February after playing football at Stadium Bandaraya, Penang. – March 16, 2025