DAP not merging with Muda - Loke

KUALA LUMPUR - DAP has no intention of merging with other political parties, said its secretary-general, Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

Loke described the suggestion by the party's veteran, Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, that the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) should join DAP as a personal opinion.

He stressed that the focus is currently on strengthening the young members within DAP itself in preparation for the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16).

"During the Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of the party, we directed the DAP Socialist Youth to strengthen its recruitment efforts in order to nurture our own young leaders in preparation for the upcoming general election.

"Hence, the question of merging with another party does not arise," he said in a press conference after the CEC meeting yesterday.

The media reported before this that Kit Siang was impressed by the idealism brought by Muda and advised the party not to lose hope.

According to him, the party might be able to merge with DAP but he is still waiting to make an official offer as he is already retired.

At the same time, Loke also expressed pride in the victory of the DAP candidate in the Selangor State Assembly of Sungai Pelek, represented by Lwi Kian Keong, as 60 per cent of the voters there are Malay.

He said that the recent state election results show that the Malaysian people are more willing to vote for non-Malay or non-Muslim candidates even though it is a predominantly Malay-majority area.

"The seat that I am most proud of is Sungai Pelek because the composition there is 60-40 Malays and non-Malays respectively.

"So, it is a very significant victory when we field a Chinese candidate from the grassroots and successfully defeat the Perikatan Nasional candidate from Bersatu," he said.