New Negeri Sembilan DAP chief Arul vows to rebuild trust while in opposition

J Arul Kumar (seated, centre) at a press conference today after taking over as Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman from Loke Siew Fook (right). (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Newly appointed Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman J Arul Kumar says the party will return to its roots at the community level as it adjusts to life in the opposition following its setback in the Aug 1 state election.Arul, 41, took over from Loke Siew Fook, who stepped down after leading the state chapter for 22 years.The former state DAP vice-chairman said the party’s immediate priority was to rebuild public confidence, including in Repah and Chennah, the two seats it lost in the state polls."Our service must show that we can perform. We will start immediately," he told FMT.On Aug 3, Loke, the DAP secretary-general, announced that he would resign as state chief to take responsibility for the party losing two seats in the state polls, including Chennah, which the DAP supremo had represented for three terms.Loke had led Negeri Sembilan DAP since 2002, increasing its representation from two state seats in 2004 to 11 in the 2023 state election.Arul, who holds a degree in business administration, said DAP served Negeri Sembilan well during its time in the opposition and had earned the confidence of the people."We must use this platform well to serve the people better and rebuild their confidence in us," said the former teacher, who entered politics in 2010 after four years in the profession.His first task will be to meet DAP's 140 branches and its assemblymen to discuss how the party can strengthen its presence on the ground and continue pushing for policies that benefit the public.Arul, who has represented Nilai for four terms since 2013, also said he wanted to preserve the unity cultivated under Loke's leadership."That is one of our strengths compared with other parties.

When it comes to serving the people, we move with one voice and as one party," he said.He said policies and projects that had benefited Negeri Sembilan should be retained, while DAP would scrutinise the government and speak up where necessary."We are now the opposition, so we will play our role in providing checks and balances. But good policies must continue," he said.Arul said he and Loke would meet Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Ismail Lasim this week to discuss how both sides could work together where their interests aligned.Arul, wh… J Arul Kumar mempertahankan kerusi Nilai dalam pertandingan lima penjuru pada PRN Negeri Sembilan 1 Ogos lalu.PETALING JAYA: Adun Nilai, J Arul Kumar dilantik mengetuai DAP Negeri Sembilan berkuat kuasa hari ini, kata Setiausaha Agung DAP, Loke Siew Fook.Jelasnya, pelantikan Arul yang juga naib pengerusi DAP negeri sebelum ini, dibuat sebulat suara oleh Jawatankuasa DAP Negeri Sembilan dan mengikut perlembagaan parti."Pemilihan Arul adalah sesuatu yang saya rasa amat positif dan membuktikan DAP parti berbilang kaum.

Kita melihat seseorang itu dari segi kelayakan dan kebolehan beliau untuk memimpin," katanya menurut Bernama selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Jawatankuasa DAP Negeri Sembilan di Seremban."Saya menaruh keyakinan dan kepercayaan kepada jawatankuasa negeri baharu kerana pasukan kita berpengalaman, telah lama bekerjasama dan bersatu padu, paling penting kita akan meneruskan kerja di setiap kawasan yang diwakili dengan bersungguh-sungguh."Loke berkata, beliau kekal sebagai ahli Jawatankuasa DAP Negeri Sembilan, selain meneruskan peranan sebagai setiausaha agung parti.Loke melepaskan jawatan pengerusi DAP Negeri Sembilan disandangnya selama 22 tahun pada 3 Ogos lalu susulan kekalahan parti itu di DUN Chennah dan Repah, yang dimenangi mereka pada PRN 2023.Loke gagal mempertahankan kerusi Chennah buat penggal keempat pada PRN 1 Ogos lalu apabila tewas kepada calon Barisan Nasional (BN), Siow Kong Choon dengan majoriti 688 undi.Arul mempertahankan kerusinya pada 1 Ogos lalu dengan meraih 15,797 undi dalam pertandingan lima penjuru menentang calon BN, Lai Chien Kong (9,860), V K Saravana daripada Bersatu (718), Zamani Ibrahim daripada Berjasa (5,844) dan calon bebas, Omar Isa (167). J Arul Kumar retained the Nilai seat in the Negeri Sembilan election on Aug 1 after winning a five-cornered race. PETALING JAYA: Nilai assemblyman and DAP vice-chairman J Arul Kumar has been appointed Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman effective today.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said the state committee made the unanimous decision following his resignation as state chairman. "Arul’s appointment is a very positive development and demonstrates that DAP is a multiracial party. We assess individuals based on their qualifications and ability to lead," he was quoted as saying by Bernama today.

He said Arul, who was previously the state DAP vice-chairman, was appointed in accordance with the party constitution. On Aug 3, Loke resigned to take responsibility for DAP’s loss of two seats, including Chennah, in the state polls on Aug 1. The transport minister lost Chennah to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Siow Kong Choon by 688 votes, failing to secure a fourth consecutive term as the constituency’s assemblyman.

Arul retained his seat in the state election, polling 15,797 votes in a five-cornered race against BN’s Lai Chien Kong (9,860), Bersatu’s V K Saravana (718), Berjasa’s Zamani Ibrahim (5,844) and independent Omar Isa (167).