The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition saw a disappointing outcome in the recent Sabah election, winning just one seat despite fielding 22 candidates.
Its component, the DAP, suffered a heavy defeat. The party lost all eight seats it contested. The party’s biggest setback came in Tanjung Aru, where Sabah DAP deputy chairman Chan Foong Hin, who is also the Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister, was unseated by a Warisan candidate.
Contesting under the PH banner, the DAP was also outperformed in other constituencies, including Sri Tanjong, Kapayan, Elopura, Likas, Luyang and Tanjung Papat.
Could this be a sign of what is to come in the upcoming general election?
Sabah voters have rejected the elitist DAP under Anthony Loke’s leadership. Many see the party as one that no longer stands for ordinary people or understands the real plight of the middle class and the poor – unlike its past leaders like P Patto and Fan Yew Teng.
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With cabinet positions, the DAP has become uncritical of the prime minister’s ambiguity and alleged double standards in the fight against corruption and in upholding human rights.
The people of Sabah, especially the young, have seen the problems that have infected the party.
DAP MPs in Parliament basically follow the tone of its leadership, which tends to satisfy the dictates of the prime minister and Umno, even though the DAP has more seats than PKR or Umno.
PH has failed to introduce many meaningful reforms regarding draconian laws. Neither has it come up with bipartisan plans for the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people, which is what conscientious MPs should deliver.
Even though such efforts could be opposed by PKR or Umno, at least the people would have seen the efforts being taken.
Certain pro-developer political elites in the DAP have also dented its image among ordinary people who once supported it.
The DAP and PH need to wake up from their slumber and start playing a principled and constructive role. They need to be seen among the common people and shed their elitist and unprincipled attitude.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
