NEW DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke may help put the multiracial but Chinese majority opposition party in better light among the Malay community, political analysts said.

Seen as less combative than his predecessor, Lim Guan Eng, 44-year-old Loke at the helm will at least break the perception that DAP equals Lim, International Islamic University assistant professor Lau Zhe Wei said.

“This is good (for DAP), as it means that the Malay community may give DAP a chance,” Lau told The Malaysian Insight, following the party’s national congress and election of new office bearers for the 2022-2025 term on Sunday.

Lau said Loke, whose fluency in Bahasa Malaysia has earned him praise, is one of a number of DAP lawmakers who are well received by the Malay community.

Lim, 61, was secretary-general for 18 years. His intention to step down from the post ahead of the election was known, as DAP now has a term limit for the position.

However, the former finance minister and Bagan MP is now party chairman and retains a seat on the Central Executive Committee (CEC), after 30 newly elected members appointed him to the post.

His father, party veteran Lim Kit Siang, retired from electoral politics at Sunday’s congress but was appointed party mentor. Guan Eng’s sister, Lim Hui Ying, also won enough votes to make it into the CEC.

In tempering the news about Loke, Lau said this could still create the impression that the Lim family will continue to “call the shots” in the party.

However, the new line up of office bearers shows what Loke called “the third generation” of DAP leaders at the helm.

In a Facebook post, Loke acknowledged the continued service of his predecessors like Guan Eng and Tan Kok Wai, who stepped down as party chairman but was appointed adviser.

Loke also hailed the “fourth generation” of younger leaders in their 30s and 40s, elected into the CEC, some of whom were also appointed as office-bearers.

However, the polls also showed that several high profile and outspoken leaders failed to secure enough votes to qualify for CEC membership.

These include Damansara MP Tony Pua and Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming. Pua was formerly Guan Eng’s political secretary at the finance ministry and Ong was deputy international trade and industry minister.

Another prominent lawmaker who did not make it into the CEC was Bakri MP Yeo Bee Yin, the former energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister.

Loke a stabiliser

Political analyst Phoon Wing Keong said the fact that Pua, Ong, and Yeo did not make it into the CEC, could mean the DAP grassroots are unhappy with the Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) performance as a federal government. The three had stints in the cabinet for 22 months.

For Pua, another factor may have been his leadership of Selangor DAP, which may have caused some dissatisfaction among the grassroots, reflected in the election results, added Phoon.

Meanwhile, Yeo performed well as a minister but may have lacked close ties with grassroots members, he added.

With regards to Loke’s appointment, Phoon said he was the right candidate as he is pragmatic, stable and is accepted by all factions.

Loke, who had been the party’s national organising secretary before this, has extensive experience in DAP affairs and is well versed in negotiating with other parties, Phoon added.

“The political situation in the country is fluid, even within PH. Loke has the ability to negotiate and is better suited than many other leaders.”

Loke may be well liked, but the Malay community will not embrace DAP overnight, Phoon cautioned.

Even former prime minister Dr Mahthir Mohamad, who headed the short-lived PH government, had difficulty convincing Malay voters that DAP was not in control of the government, the analyst recalled.

“The DAP stereotype won’t change so quickly but Loke has a stable image and can help DAP earn more brownie points in the Malay community.”

Letting Loke lead

Tan Seng Keat, a researcher at polling firm Merdeka Centre, said while DAP’s leadership has changed, it will take time for its image to do so among the Malays.

“Kit Siang’s resignation gives the party more room to be accepted and so does Loke’s appointment,” Tan said of the older Lim, whose history in building and strengthening of the party is well-documented.

With Kit Siang now party mentor and son Guan Eng the chairman, Tan said it remains to be seen if Loke will be allowed to make his own decisions.

Tan believes Kit Siang will give room to the younger generation of leaders to rise, as in recent years he had already become more focused on national affairs rather than party politics.

His appointment as party mentor is also more about DAP appreciating and respecting his contributions, rather than ensuring any continued “family dynasty”.

While Guan Eng may be dominating in character, analyst Phoon said he is not a dictator, and as secretary-general, had given others room to speak up. – March 23, 2022.