SEREMBAN – Nilai assemblyman and National DAP vice-chairman J. Arul Kumar has been appointed as the new Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman, effective today.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the state committee unanimously selected Arul Kumar after he stepped down from the position, which he had held for 22 years since 2004.
“Arul Kumar’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 said.
Loke also expressed confidence in the new state committee, describing its members as experienced, united and accustomed to working together.
“Most importantly, we will continue serving every constituency we represent with dedication,” he told a press conference after chairing the Negeri Sembilan DAP state committee meeting.
Loke said Arul Kumar, previously the Negeri Sembilan DAP vice-chairman, was appointed in accordance with the party constitution.
Loke said he would remain a member of the Negeri Sembilan DAP committee while continuing as the party’s secretary-general.
He said leading the state chapter carried significant responsibility, particularly after DAP performed strongly in the previous four state elections and retained nine seats in the recent 16th Negeri Sembilan election.
Loke stepped down as state chairman with effect from today after failing to defend the Chennah seat.
He said Arul Kumar’s appointment as his successor reflected DAP’s commitment to multiracial politics, although most members of the state committee are Chinese.
Arul Kumar is not the first Indian leader to head Negeri Sembilan DAP. Loke noted that Malay leader Yusof Bador had also served as state chairman in the early 1980s.
Meanwhile, Arul Kumar is expected to pay a courtesy call on Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim soon to discuss a new framework for cooperation between the state government and the opposition.
Arul Kumar described his appointment as a major responsibility and pledged to ensure that DAP continued providing the best possible service to the public.
He said the party would serve residents in the nine constituencies it won while continuing to assist those in Chennah and Repah, which it no longer represents.
DAP contested 11 seats in the recent state election, retaining nine but losing Chennah and Repah. – August 10, 2026