Malaysia's DAP Votes to Stay in Cabinet, Bolstering PM Anwar

Malaysia's ruling coalition received a significant boost as the Democratic Action Party (DAP) overwhelmingly decided to remain in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government. At the party's congress on Sunday, delegates voted by a wide margin to keep their ministers in their Cabinet posts, offering a vital reprieve to the prime minister.

The vote saw 1,857 out of 2,106 ballots cast in favor of the DAP's five full ministers and seven deputy ministers continuing their roles. Only 242 delegates voted for the ministers to resign. This decision comes after the DAP faced significant setbacks in recent state elections, prompting internal discussions about their position within the government.

Analysts had previously warned that a DAP withdrawal from the Cabinet could pose a serious threat to Anwar's administration, potentially forcing him to call for an early general election. The party holds 40 parliamentary seats, making it a substantial bloc within the 222-member lower house and a key component of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke reiterated the party's commitment to being a multiracial force, stating, "DAP will remain as a multiracial party... This is the most important philosophy of the party. We are not fighting for any one race, but for the success of Malaysians and for the country to be progressive."

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DAP will remain as a multiracial party … This is the most important philosophy of the party. We are not fighting for any one race, but for the success of Malaysians and for the country to be progressive.