KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook today played down suggestions that this could be his last monthly assembly with Transport Ministry staff ahead of DAP’s crucial vote on Sunday on whether the party should remain in the federal government.
Asked whether today’s ministry assembly could be his final one with ministry staff, Loke dismissed the assumption.
“How do you think it is my last? I have never mentioned that,” he told reporters after the Transport Ministry’s monthly assembly here today.
Asked if he was nervous ahead of the DAP special congress on Sunday, Loke said he was relaxed.
“I don’t know why you ask such a question. I am very relaxed today. I am celebrating with my secretary-general for his birthday. So, after this, we have a birthday celebration for him. Thank you very much,” he said.
Loke’s remarks came three days before DAP delegates are due to vote on a motion that could determine whether the party’s leaders, including its Cabinet members, remain in the government for the rest of the current parliamentary term.
The secret ballot will be held at DAP’s national congress on Sunday, with roughly 4,000 delegates expected to take part. The motion concerns DAP’s participation in the federal government and does not involve the party’s position in Pakatan Harapan.
The vote follows a string of electoral setbacks for DAP and PH, including the party’s loss of all eight seats it contested in the Sabah election last November, followed by further defeats in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
Loke was among the casualties in the latest setback, losing his Chennah state seat after three terms.
Despite the electoral losses, Loke has previously said the decision on whether DAP should remain in government will be left to the delegates.
DAP currently holds five ministerial positions and seven deputy minister posts in the federal administration.
The party has said that even if delegates vote for its leaders to relinquish their government positions, DAP would continue supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament until the end of the current term.
For now, however, Loke appears content to wait until Sunday before discussing what comes next.
“After Sunday, we talk,” he said.
