Historic day got Anthony Loke feeling the nerves
KUALA LUMPUR - Despite leading one of the most strongest party in Malaysia, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke still felt nervous about delivering his speech at the Umno headquarters today.
He said when he first ventured into politics, it never crossed his mind that he would be standing in Dewan Merdeka at the World Trade Centre (WTC).
"I don't think my party ever thought about it, nor did Gobind Singh (Damansara MP). I’m nervous here; I've never been but the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has experienced before.
"Today is a very historic day because the consensus of the Unity Government brings together 19 parties in our country," he said during his speech at the Unity Government National Convention at WTC here today.
Loke, who is also the Seremban MP, said that this convention represents the society at every level, every race in Malaysia, both majority and minority, every religion and every region including Sabah and Sarawak, with one mission: to support the Unity Government.
"Every government that is formed is a government that represents all races and religions. This is the basis of political formation in our country. Today's convention has a big meaning.
"More for me, I am sure, this symbolises a brighter future for Malaysia. Insights that lead to more prosperity.
"We look back on the night of Nov 19, 2022, and in the history of Malaysia, no party has won a majority in the country, not in all the 14 elections in Malaysia.
“The decision is clear, and not to forget, a hung parliament has never happened in this country before," he added.
He said various negotiations were held during the five days after Election Day on Nov 19.
On Nov 22, the leaders of the coalition that won the majority of seats, namely Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), were summoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
The leaders were advised by the King that the parties should work together to form a government.
"I had a whisper with Anwar; I have received permission from my party to support Anwar, where the Tambun MP has a mandate to form a government and we have no conditions to form a government from any party.
"And we know the result; at that time, immediately after appearing before the King, Anwar gave a press conference that he agreed to form the work without any conditions but the other party (PN) did not agree," he stressed.
Loke, who is also Transport Minister, further added that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) were guided by the same principle, which was one of the pillars of the country: loyalty to the King and the country.
"Our desire is to maintain prosperity and interrelationships between religions. However, some parties said that this country has been dominated by the DAP.
"Let the facts speak; 77 Parliamentarians are Bumiputera. This means that the majority is supported by Muslim and Bumiputeras,” he stressed.
