Loke, who is also the transport minister, said it was a new experience for him.

“No one in DAP thought that we would be here one day either,” he said at the unity government convention at the World Trade Centre here.

Umno and DAP were once fierce political rivals before the formation of the unity government.

During the Umno annual general assembly in 2021, party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said delegates had affirmed the party’s decision to reject cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Bersatu in the 15th general election (GE15).

He said Umno affirmed the principle of “No Anwar, no DAP”, in reference to PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim and PH component DAP.

However, Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) later formed the unity government with PH, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah after the inconclusive results of GE15, where no single party or coalition won the majority to form the government.

Zahid later sought to justify BN’s cooperation with PH, saying the “No Anwar, no DAP” principle was not applicable post-GE15.

Loke called on the government to open a “new chapter” in the country’s politics, adding that the current cooperation between different parties and coalitions not only embodied the “Merdeka spirit” but presented a new beginning.

He said the current administration could retain power after the 16th general election should all the parties in the unity government strengthen their collaboration and ensure their commitment to one another.