PUTRAJAYA, Oct. 4 -- DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has described the party's recent electoral setbacks, including its defeat in Negeri Sembilan, as a "blessing in disguise", saying the losses have exposed challenges faced by rival political blocs and could ultimately strengthen the party's position.

Speaking in an interview with The Straits Times, the transport minister said DAP remained optimistic despite a series of disappointing election results and growing dissatisfaction among parts of its traditional support base.

Loke pointed to developments in Negeri Sembilan, where he argued that the new state administration had yet to resolve issues it had pledged to address after coming to power. He said the situation demonstrated that p...