PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke to remain as Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman despite losing the Chennah seat in today’s 16th state election.
Loke failed to retain Chennah, a constituency he had represented for three consecutive terms since 2013, after narrowly losing to Barisan Nasional (BN) newcomer Siow Kong Choon (John). Following the defeat, Loke said he would consider stepping down as Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman.
Unofficial results showed Loke receiving 5,060 votes, while Siow secured 5,593 votes, giving the BN candidate a 533-vote majority.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the George Town Festival 2026 at Padang Kota Lama in Penang, Chow said Loke should “cool down for a day or two before making a decision” on his future as the state DAP chairman.
“The party still needs him,” Chow said.
When asked what had contributed to Loke’s defeat, Chow described Chennah as one of the most challenging seats following the new political cooperation between BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
“From the beginning of the campaign, we acknowledged that it would be a difficult contest because of the constituency’s racial composition and the new political configuration. The campaign also became heavily centred on racial and religious issues. Despite those circumstances, it was a very close fight,” he said
Based on unofficial results, BN won 18 state seats while PN secured seven, giving the BN-PN alliance a two-thirds majority and ending Pakatan Harapan’s administration in Negeri Sembilan.