DAP deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming reportedly expressed a desire to resign alongside party secretary-general Anthony Loke during a tense emergency meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Saturday.
According to Chinese-language newspaper Oriental Daily, a source who attended the meeting said the idea of mass resignations had emerged during discussions, as several ministers and deputy ministers, including DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo and Kor Ming, considered stepping down from their government positions.
The source said the meeting reached an impasse, with Kor Ming suggesting that DAP leaders should resign together rather than leave Loke to step down alone.
“The idea of resigning en masse did come up during the emergency CEC meeting.
“Other leaders, including Kor Ming, who is now under public scrutiny, wanted to take the same position as Anthony.
“In fact, the meeting reached a deadlock. Kor Ming also suggested that they resign together.
“He said it made no sense for only the secretary-general to resign. What about the others? Initially, almost all CEC members felt that if they were going to resign, they should do it together. If they were staying, then everyone should stay,” the source was quoted as saying.
However, Loke stood by his decision despite differing views within the meeting.
The source said Loke subsequently explained why he needed to resign as Transport Minister, while also outlining why other DAP leaders should remain in government. His explanation was eventually accepted unanimously by those present.
“If Anthony resigns, followed by Kor Ming and Gobind Singh, and then Hannah Yeoh, it would become a mass resignation,” the source said.
The source said DAP had to weigh its political and moral responsibilities against the potential risks of withdrawing its leaders from the government altogether.
“It is not that we (DAP) did not consider the implications of leaving the government entirely.
“But we believe this is not the time to push for mass resignations or the dissolution of Parliament.
“After a mass resignation, there are still many other possibilities that could happen,” the source said.
The source said the party ultimately decided that Loke would resign to represent DAP’s position, while its other leaders would remain in the Unity Government to maintain political stability anchored by Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The source added that Kor Ming, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister, had faced calls from several Malay leaders to resign as well.
However, Loke reportedly managed to convince party leaders that if someone had to step forward to represent DAP’s position, it should be the party’s highest-ranking leader — its secretary-general.
“Anthony certainly showed courage by resigning, but Kor Ming will also need greater political courage to face the pressure and attacks that will follow,” the source said.
