DAP creates history by inviting BN to attend conference
KUALA LUMPUR - The 2023 DAP Annual Conference creates history when the party fort the first time invited its partners from BN consisting of Umno and MCA to attend the conference at Marriot Hotel Putrajaya this Sunday.
Its central executive committee (CEC) member Steven Sim Steven Sim Chee Keong said the invitation to attend the conference was extended to all parties within the unity government.
He said he was awaiting the response from leaders or representatives regarding their attendance.
"Some had answered and some have yet to respond, I can't confirm the attendance and the latest information, but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was invited," he said.
He said such in a press conference at the DAP headquarters at Jalan Yew on Monday that was attended by Selangor DAP Deputy Chairman who is also the Sekinchan Assemblyman Ng Suee Lim.
Steven explained it was the first conference the party had after forming the unity government post 15th General Election (GE15) last year.
"For information, the branches eligible to send representatives are as many as 1,530 across the nation involving 3,868 delegates and there's an increase as compared to the DAP conference in September last year.
"All MP's, Assemblymen and Senator are considered as representatives in the conference other than branch level representatives," he said.
He added the conference notice had been sent to all branches while the attendance quorum to qualify the conference was 25 per cent of the total number of delegates.
"Among matters expected to be discussed in the conference was the party's direction and policy, and economic plans after DAP agreed to join the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-BN unity government," he said.
He commented on the Malaysian Malaysia slogan the party fought for and explained it did not contradict with the Constitution.
Steven who is also the deputy finance minister said the struggle connected to the slogan was to dignify Malaysians in the nation.
"I think this matter has been explained by the secretary-general (Anthony Loke) and the concept did not contradict the Constitution, if Malaysia wasn't for Malaysians, who is it for?
"I think the secretary-general has explained the matter, but if any members want to bring up party policies and struggles in the upcoming conference, this is the space for it and members are free to raise the issue," he said.
Previously, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook stated there was no need for the party to drop its Malaysian Malaysia slogan as urged by some parties.
Loke said the principles for the slogan were succinctly explained and agreed upon before the unity government led by Anwar was formed.
