OPINION | “Betrayal...!!!” - Will PH-DAP Suffer Same Fate In The Peninsula As In Sabah...?!!
3 Dec 2025 • 5:30 PM MYT
JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour
Focus Malaysia / Focus Malaysia / Sinar Harian (Photo: BERNAMA) / South China Morning Post (Clockwise) . All photos strictly for illustration only.
Could the sense of “betrayal”, very palpable among PH supporters here, trigger another Sabah-style electoral “massacre” in the peninsula come GE16?
Much has been written of the recent landmark Sabah election and how it could serve as a forerunner to what might unfold in the peninsula come GE16; but in truth, hasn't the sense of frustration and “betrayal” among Pakatan Harapan’s loyal voter base been steadily deepening?
Admittedly, the scenario and the voter demographics in Sabah and the peninsula may be different; yet, some of the grouses and underlying sentiments here may be similar.
Over here it's not only the Chinese who may feel “betrayed” but the Indians too, both of whom make up the largest of the minority groups – and both of whom, when combined, possess enough clout to be "kingmakers" as well as “spoilers!”
Then why has Anwar's PH-led coalition, which includes the DAP, failed to acknowledge this?
Didn't the Chinese and Indians who make up PH’s core support base make it clear that they will not hesitate to “boycott” polls if they are unhappy – as happened in the by-election for Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang last year?
News clip / headline from Bernama report dated 6 July 2024.
In Sabah, it would appear that though the DAP bore the full brunt of the voters’ fury, it was actually a symbolic and collective “snub” to the Madani administration!
Truth be told, the Chinese in the peninsula have not forgotten the issue of the upside down flags, the Allah socks (and shoes), and the bullying by the ultra-nationalists; neither have they forgotten all the intimidations over beer and wine, vernacular schools, the endless halal controversies and others!
As for the Indians, surely many would not have forgotten the disturbing incident where PMX had allegedly spoken somewhat condescendingly to an Indian female student who had merely implored him for meritocracy to be applied to the country's higher education system.
But most significantly, the Indian community would not have forgotten the temple issues – and how religious provocateurs, including many in social media, were allowed to freely taunt and harass them with impunity. Was any stern action ever taken by the Madani government against those hooligans?
Deriding any religion is bound to draw a fierce backlash from its followers!
In fact, PMX (and DAP) have not been covering themselves in glory either in the fight against corruption, with the perception that selective prosecution is acceptable, and where those who have stolen millions of ringgit can simply return part of the loot and get away scot free - all in the name of political expediency.
And what about the scourge of favouritism and nepotism – reminiscent of the BN era? Didn't the Nurul Izzah- Rafizi “duel” in PKR leave many PH supporters disillusioned, especially after the latter, the undisputed “war general” behind many of the coalition's past electoral triumphs, was “forced” to retreat?
In Sabah, it would appear that though the DAP bore the full brunt of the voters’ fury, it was actually a symbolic and collective “snub” to the Madani administration!
Truth be told, the Chinese in the peninsula have not forgotten the issue of the upside down flags, the Allah socks (and shoes), and the bullying by the ultra-nationalists; neither have they forgotten all the intimidations over beer and wine, vernacular schools, the endless halal controversies and others!
As for the Indians, surely many would not have forgotten the disturbing incident where PMX had allegedly spoken somewhat condescendingly to an Indian female student who had merely implored him for meritocracy to be applied to the country's higher education system.
But most significantly, the Indian community would not have forgotten the temple issues – and how religious provocateurs, including many in social media, were allowed to freely taunt and harass them with impunity. Was any stern action ever taken by the Madani government against those hooligans?
Deriding any religion is bound to draw a fierce backlash from its followers!
In fact, PMX (and DAP) have not been covering themselves in glory either in the fight against corruption, with the perception that selective prosecution is acceptable, and where those who have stolen millions of ringgit can simply return part of the loot and get away scot free - all in the name of political expediency.
And what about the scourge of favouritism and nepotism – reminiscent of the BN era? Didn't the Nurul Izzah- Rafizi “duel” in PKR leave many PH supporters disillusioned, especially after the latter, the undisputed “war general” behind many of the coalition's past electoral triumphs, was “forced” to retreat?
Credit Source: Sinar Daily
In any government, corporation or organisation, if “good men” choose to leave, it could only mean one thing - there is something rotten brewing inside!
So in light of the Sabah “bombshell”, what exactly do the people, especially those who form the bulk of Madani supporters in the peninsula want?
The answer is simple: Nothing special, just return whatever has been taken away from them, starting with their dignity; and treat them with respect – not take them for granted!
PH supporters also want a society that is tolerant and progressive where respect is mutual - not one way street; and where all are treated as first class citizens.
In fact, can any single community here claim to have singlehandedly built this blessed nation?
As for the bullies and troublemakers who blatantly manipulate race and religion, fast and firm action by authorities is needed; not wait until things get out of control, like the mob that was allowed to take to the streets - to allegedly teach someone from the minority group a “lesson” over an innocent flag blunder in Penang.
Moreover, just as the special rights of the indigenous bumiputra communities here should never be challenged, likewise, isn't it only fair that the “constitutional rights” of the non-bumiputras too shouldn't be questioned by anyone?
Certainly, there should be no more talk on the legality of vernacular schools; in fact, how can it even be allowed to be debated openly when its right to exist is already enshrined in the country's Constitution?
Pandering to religious hardliners is anathema to a multiracial society!
Finally, enough of letting petty issues, such as signboards in minority languages, tear the nation apart - let the laws deal with that; while instigators, on the other hand, must be dealt with swiftly, never mind if they happen to be past leaders and are uber rich – plus super powerful!
In short, Anwar's administration should just revert “back to the basics” and not let anyone deliberately misinterpret the Constitution to suit their own agenda.
It's also time to start addressing inherited problems, especially the fate of the missing men, women and children, including those classified under “enforced disappearance” which even the courts had ruled was carried out by state agents, who shamefully are still allowed to walk free!
Finally, the brutal truth…
The people of Sabah had voted to regain their dignity after being “shortchanged” and “looked down” for decades by their masters from across the South China Sea: likewise, the PH supporters here too will want their dignity back after decades of subjugation and humiliation under the ketuanan system; but if PMX and DAP still refuse to eat humble pie, “reset” and start honouring their promises now - then annihilation is almost certain.
In conclusion, DAP and PH can still save themselves by bringing back all the “good men” who have left; and also by replacing all those controversial figures in top posts who are perceived to be hindering justice.
These would be the first crucial steps in regaining the trust of the non-bumiputras; because without the latter, DAP and PH are near-zero!
In any government, corporation or organisation, if “good men” choose to leave, it could only mean one thing - there is something rotten brewing inside!
So in light of the Sabah “bombshell”, what exactly do the people, especially those who form the bulk of Madani supporters in the peninsula want?
The answer is simple: Nothing special, just return whatever has been taken away from them, starting with their dignity; and treat them with respect – not take them for granted!
PH supporters also want a society that is tolerant and progressive where respect is mutual - not one way street; and where all are treated as first class citizens.
In fact, can any single community here claim to have singlehandedly built this blessed nation?
As for the bullies and troublemakers who blatantly manipulate race and religion, fast and firm action by authorities is needed; not wait until things get out of control, like the mob that was allowed to take to the streets - to allegedly teach someone from the minority group a “lesson” over an innocent flag blunder in Penang.
Moreover, just as the special rights of the indigenous bumiputra communities here should never be challenged, likewise, isn't it only fair that the “constitutional rights” of the non-bumiputras too shouldn't be questioned by anyone?
Certainly, there should be no more talk on the legality of vernacular schools; in fact, how can it even be allowed to be debated openly when its right to exist is already enshrined in the country's Constitution?
Pandering to religious hardliners is anathema to a multiracial society!
Finally, enough of letting petty issues, such as signboards in minority languages, tear the nation apart - let the laws deal with that; while instigators, on the other hand, must be dealt with swiftly, never mind if they happen to be past leaders and are uber rich – plus super powerful!
In short, Anwar's administration should just revert “back to the basics” and not let anyone deliberately misinterpret the Constitution to suit their own agenda.
It's also time to start addressing inherited problems, especially the fate of the missing men, women and children, including those classified under “enforced disappearance” which even the courts had ruled was carried out by state agents, who shamefully are still allowed to walk free!
Finally, the brutal truth…
The people of Sabah had voted to regain their dignity after being “shortchanged” and “looked down” for decades by their masters from across the South China Sea: likewise, the PH supporters here too will want their dignity back after decades of subjugation and humiliation under the ketuanan system; but if PMX and DAP still refuse to eat humble pie, “reset” and start honouring their promises now - then annihilation is almost certain.
In conclusion, DAP and PH can still save themselves by bringing back all the “good men” who have left; and also by replacing all those controversial figures in top posts who are perceived to be hindering justice.
These would be the first crucial steps in regaining the trust of the non-bumiputras; because without the latter, DAP and PH are near-zero!
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