Anthony Loke says govt has 15 months to finish reforms, no need to rush GE16
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 6 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke today said there is no need to rush into the 16th general election, with the unity government still having 15 months to complete its reform agenda.
His remarks came amid calls from several quarters for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament early and pave the way for GE16, including from Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Following the recent state elections in Johor and Melaka, we have heard a great deal of news and voices from various parties and quarters pressuring the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for the 16th general election,” he was quoted by The Star as saying at the Wanita DAP national congress here.
Loke said DAP’s position was that Anwar should not give in to such pressure as long as he retained majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
“We have the remaining 15 months to complete the reforms,” he added.
He said the unity government was formed following the 15th general election in 2022 and should be allowed to use the remainder of its current term to deliver on its commitments.
Anwar has said the proposal for an earlier election could be considered, but that the government was currently focused on reviving the economy, improving public well-being and fighting corruption and abuse of power.
Loke said political differences between parties in the unity government did not mean they were no longer able to govern together.
“As long as every party still sticks to the government, then in terms of governance, we should be able to govern the country,” he said.
He said DAP had yet to decide whether to work with BN in the Melaka state election, adding that it was not involved in negotiations between Pakatan Harapan election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Loke, who is also the transport minister, said DAP remains focused on reforms already agreed upon by the Cabinet, including constitutional amendments involving the separation of the attorney general and public prosecutor roles and a proposed term limit for the prime minister.
