According to the Seremban MP, with the potential of three coalitions contesting in GE15 – Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH – there may be no clear winner, thus leaving the door open for cooperation with other parties, including Umno.
Loke said PH, which comprises DAP, PKR and Amanah, will do what is necessary if it does not have the majority to form the government.
“We have come to a situation where there are three coalitions in Malaysia. If, let’s say, Umno sticks to its current position to leave PN and not work with Bersatu, then you have at least three major forces going into the next election,” he said in an interview aired on BFM this morning.
“If there is no clear winner, you have to provide a solution. The country cannot be in limbo, you must create a situation where a stable government is formed and the country is being governed, and things are normalised.”
On whether DAP should commit before the election to provide voters with greater clarity, Loke said PH has been clear with what it offers voters – a good leadership structure with Anwar Ibrahim as the candidate for prime minister.
“Of course, we hope that PH will be able to win at least half the seats and form the government, but if that is not possible, (new allies) is something we have to think about.”
Loke said the infighting and instability that have plagued the Malaysian political sphere of late is not healthy.
On accusations that DAP is a “Chinese chauvinist” party, he said it is a hard reputation to erase, particularly among Malays, but it is something they are actively looking to shed.
“By and large, DAP has been accepted by the non-Malays, but we still have challenges getting the support of the Malay community,” he said.
Loke said there was no use in abandoning the pursuit of Malay voters simply because getting their support has been difficult in the past.
“If we give up, there is no future for DAP,” he said.
With less than 10% Malay membership, which he admitted was “very low”, Loke said DAP is looking for young Malay leaders to play a prominent role going forward, and who can hopefully convince people that the party is for all Malaysians.
He said efforts to engage the Malays in rural areas is necessary, as the party could not solely rely on its PH allies.