Malaysia’s Unity Government Secured as DAP Votes to Remain in Power
Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party (DAP) has voted to remain in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government for the rest of the current parliamentary term, easing immediate questions about the coalition’s stability.
At the party’s national congress in Putrajaya on Sunday, delegates voted by secret ballot. According to The Edge Malaysia, 1,857 delegates: 88.2% of those voting: supported staying in government, while 242 backed withdrawing DAP ministers and deputy ministers. Seven ballots were spoiled.
The decision allows DAP to retain its five Cabinet positions and seven deputy minister posts. The party is also the largest component of the governing coalition, with 40 Members of Parliament. That makes the vote a significant political development: DAP’s continued participation keeps its lawmakers aligned with Anwar’s administration and strengthens the government’s working parliamentary majority.
The vote followed a difficult period for DAP, including losses in recent state elections and the defeat of secretary-general Anthony Loke in his Chennah constituency. As New Straits Times reported, delegates were asked to decide whether the party should remain in the federal government through the end of the current term.
For Malaysians, the outcome means continuity rather than an immediate Cabinet shake-up or coalition rupture. It also places renewed attention on whether the unity government can deliver faster reforms and respond to concerns raised within DAP about coalition management and policy progress.
The result is not a blank cheque. DAP leaders and delegates have signaled that remaining in government comes with expectations for stronger performance, clearer reforms and better coordination among coalition partners. Voters will likely judge those results well before the next general election.
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