PUTRAJAYA: Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman did not win the Muar seat on his own merit in GE15, says DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
Instead, Loke said Syed Saddiq won the Muar seat with support from Pakatan Harapan and DAP.
“I have to remind Syed Saddiq that he won (Muar) on an understanding with Pakatan. He did not win Muar on his own merit.
“He (Syed Saddiq) won because there was an electoral understanding with Pakatan. We did not put our candidate there.
“DAP lent support to him, we campaigned for him. Muda is not a victory for Muda and it’s not his ability alone to win Muar,” said Loke during a press conference held after the opening ceremony of DAP’s national convention in Putrajaya on Sunday (Sept 10).
In GE15 last year, Syed Saddiq won Muar with a 1,345 majority in a three-cornered fight.
Loke said that Pakatan gave six seats to contest in Muda and it ensured no clashes with the neophyte party.
“He won by representing Pakatan and during that time, there were candidates from Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional,” added Loke.
Loke said Syed Saddiq has an obligation to support the government of the day.
“I just want to remind him that he has a responsibility because he also won based on the support of Pakatan voters,” added Loke.
Loke also said it is up to Muda to decide on whether to retract support towards the unity government.
“But let me remind them, Pulai voters have voted to ensure political stability and to ensure the government remains strong,” added Loke.
On Sept 9, Amanah’s Suhaizan Kayat won the Pulai parliamentary seat with a majority of 18,641 votes.
Amanah’s Nazri Abdul Rahman also won Simpang Jeram with a 3,514 majority, which is an increase from the Johor state polls last year that recorded a 2,334 majority.
Syed Saddiq said on Tuesday (Sept 5) that Muda will reevaluate its position in the unity government after a conditional acquittal was granted to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Syed Saddiq has also described DAP as a “lapdog” to Ahmad Zahid and it generated brickbats from DAP leaders who accused the Muar MP of going overboard.
On Monday (Sept 4), the High Court granted a discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) to Ahmad Zahid for all 47 graft charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
