Loke defends DAP’s seat reduction for Melaka poll as tactical shift for better odds

MELAKA, Oct 26 — DAP’s decision to contest only seven seats in the 16th Melaka state election, including its decision not to field a candidate in Bemban, was based on an assessment of its chances of winning, party secretary-general Anthony Loke said.

He said the decision took into account DAP’s performance in the 2021 state election, when the party finished second in several seats it failed to win, but came third in Bemban.

“We want to ensure that our strength, resources and focus are concentrated on seats we can win. That is why we are contesting only seven seats this time.

“It is a tactical and strategic decision by the party to ensure that our efforts and focus are directed towards the seats we can win, namely the seven we are contesting, including the four seats held by our incumbents,” he said.

Loke, who is Transport Minister, was speaking to reporters after officiating at a special financial assistance presentation ceremony for taxi, rental car and school bus drivers here today.

A total of 283 taxi and rental car drivers received RM1,000 assistance vouchers each at the ceremony.

In the 2021 Melaka state election, DAP’s Tey Kok Kiew, who contested Bemban under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner, lost to Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub by a majority of 328 votes in a five-cornered contest that also involved a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate and two independents.

On PH’s strategy for the upcoming election, Loke said the coalition would focus on the 21 seats announced by Prime Minister and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday.

“We are working together under PH, comprising three parties – DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) – and we are focusing on the 21 seats we are contesting. We are not involved in the others,” he said.

PH is fielding 21 candidates from its three component parties in the state election, compared with 28 candidates in 2021.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Oct 31 for nomination, Nov 10 for early voting and Nov 14 for polling. — Bernama