On 19 Nov pm, Anwar contacted BN president to explore possibility of coalition government. BN never agreed to formation of government until they met agong and agong asked them. Before GE, DAP already came to the conclusion that no coalition would exceed 111 seats, so they were already having rudimentary discussion on the possibility of alliance with BN post election.

On 19 Nov pm, his mood was very heavy, as despite PH winning most seats, the parties (PN, BN, GPS) that were together before GE collectively won more than 111 seats. People were very worried if PAS would dominate the new government given they won the most seats. 20 Nov pm, he convened an emergency meeting with all elected DAP MPs and CEC (central executive committee, the 30 members strong decision making body of DAP, many of them are MPs too).

All but 1 or 2 attendants were of the opinion that no matter what, Anwar must be the new PM, PH must form government, PN must be prevented from forming the government. To achieve this objective, the only solution is to corporate with BN. That was the consensus, and they gave the mandate to secretary general Anthony Loke to discuss/negotiate with Anwar on this matter based on the consensus.

21 Nov, PH had a meeting with BN in Pacific Hotel opposite Wisma UMNO. Anthony Loke reached very late at around 12 as he was waiting for all statutory declarations to arrive. Everybody else was there 9am~10am. Around noon, 7 from PH were to meet with 7 from BN to discuss this matter. Only 5 out of 7 BN reps came as MCA + MIC were absent.

The meeting did not reach any decision / conclusion but BN aired their basic requirements. 22 Nov, ~2pm Anwar received phone call to go to palace. Everybody was very excited but palace told Anwar that Muhyddin would also go to palace. 2 reps from each camp would go. Anwar and Saiffudin (PH secretary) represented PH, Muhyddin + Hadi represented another camp.

Before Anwar left for palace, Anthony informed Anwar that he has the mandate from the party to support Anwar to form government and be PM. Anthony Loke informed Anwar that should DAP be the stumbling block, DAP would be happy to not be in cabinet and simply be supporting members of parliament. DAP's support for Anwar was unconditional. Anwar rejected the idea that DAP be absent from any PH goverment.

Around 5pm, Muhyddin came out from the palace with a pissed off face and announced that PN declined to form unity government with PH. Anwar on the other hand agreed in principle that PH would form unity goverment with PN pending on the fine prints. 23 Nov, Agong met with BN, GPS and asked them about unity government. BN agreed to Agong's suggestion, GPS left it completely to Agong.

24 Nov, when the rulers had meeting together, the landscape was already clear. 3 political alliances have agreed to form unity goverment. On the same afternoon, Anwar was asked to swear in as PM. Looking back at things now, everything appeared matter-of-factly. But from 19th to 24th, Anthony had so much stress and pressure in his heart.

There were a lot of different suggestions between 19th and 24tg on how to achieve the objective of making Anwar the PM, one of them being meeting with GPS. Nga called Anthony, saying that he contacted people in Sarawak and the Sarawakian suggested swallowing the pride and apologising to GPS. Anthony had no problem apologising, but he thought that just releasing a public statement would be superficial and meaningless, and he decided to meet GPS in person to apologise should GPS agreed to meet.

Anthony instructed his assistant to draft out a letter to visit abang Jo. Sarawak state assembly was having meeting then, and Sarawak DAP leader passed the letter to a GPS Adun. GPS practically immediately agreed to meet and an appointment was set on 24th AM. Anthony wanted to fly on 24th AM but due to worry of flight delay, DAP Sarawakian leader Chong Chien Jen asked him to fly on the same night Wednesday night.

Throughout all these, DAP knew very much that for the future of Malaysia, they ought to solicit corporation from BN and GPS. And due to PH not having enough seats, DAP had to sacrifice themselves to show sincerity. If on the 24th, the person swearing in wasn't Anwar, everybody would have felt much worse now.

Some DAP members feel that it is regrettable that DAP only got 4 ministers. Anthony disagreed with this assessment, as the chief objective of the GE campaign ie making Anwar the PM has been achieved. DAP did not campaign on the premise of having X number of ministers or Y portfolios.

He can see why people think DAP has been unfairly treated. But looking from another perspective, should DAP not strive hardest to form a government, the consequence would be PN being the new government. He rather has less ministers than let PN form government.

All these are his judgements, and he as DAP SecGen takes responsibility of his decisions. Whether his decisions would turn out right or wrong, history will be the judge and he takes full responsibility He already offered unconditional support to Anwar to be the PM and to form the government before Anwar visited the palace. It is wrong to change his mind/offer after Anwar has indeed formed the government.