Anthony Loke says he is ready to face challengers in Chennah as Negeri Sembilan state election looms

SEREMBAN, July 2 — Incumbent Chennah assemblyman Anthony Loke said he is prepared to face any challenger seeking to contest the seat in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election.

Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, said anyone is free to offer themselves as a candidate in line with the country’s democratic principles, describing electoral contests as a normal feature of democracy.

“We are a democratic country. Anyone who wants to stand as a candidate is welcome to do so. It is their right,” he told reporters after officiating the Negeri Sembilan-level MyLesen B2 programme here today.

He was commenting on reports that businessman Albert Tei had not ruled out contesting the Chennah state seat after receiving an offer from a political party.

However, Loke reminded anyone intending to contest a state seat to ensure they met the prescribed eligibility requirements, including updating their registered address to the constituency they wished to contest.

He said his main focus at present was not on his political opponents, but on continuing to fulfil his duties and responsibilities as the elected representative for Chennah.

Loke said the mandate entrusted to him by voters over the past three terms remained his priority, rather than dwelling on who might challenge him in the upcoming state election.

The Election Commission (EC) has set July 18 as nomination day for the Negeri Sembilan state election, with polling on August 1 and early voting on July 28. — Bernama