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Forget about it, DAP says on accepting party hoppers

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says this applies to both former members and individuals from other parties.

Bernama
2 minute read
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A man stands among DAP banners in Kuala Lumpur in this 2001 file picture. DAP says it will not accept party hoppers whether they are former members or from other parties. Photo: AFP
A man stands among DAP banners in Kuala Lumpur in this 2001 file picture. DAP says it will not accept party hoppers whether they are former members or from other parties. Photo: AFP

DAP today said it would stick to its stand against accepting party hoppers into its fold, with secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook saying this would apply to both former members and individuals from other parties.

He was responding to a report that former Melaka assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee was looking to become an MP in the coming election by contesting as an Umno or DAP member.

“The case is very clear, he (Norhizam) hopped out (of DAP) when we were down, but now he is thinking of coming back (to us).

“He lost in the (Melaka) state election last November (after hopping out of DAP) and wants a new platform to make a comeback, but he can forget about it. We have many other good candidates,” he said at a virtual press conference today.

On the party’s proposal that DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang take on the role of a mentor, Loke said the offer was made in light of the latter’s seniority.

“The position is not in the party structure and not in the party constitution. His role would be like an adviser… but we respect his decision not to take up the offer,” Loke said.

Yesterday, the DAP veteran who is also the MP for Iskandar Puteri rejected the proposal by the party’s central executive committee but said he would always be available to offer his views on DAP’s new direction.

At the press conference today, Loke also announced the party’s representatives in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council.

Apart from himself, they include chairman Lim Guan Eng, deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo, and vice-chairmen Nga Kor Ming and M Kulasegaran.

Others are Steven Sim Chee Keong, Dr Kelvin Yii and Chong Eng.

PH is made up of DAP, PKR and Amanah.