DAP Considers Quitting MADANI Government as Reform Delays and Sabah Defeat Shake Confidence
6 Dec 2025 • 1:30 PM MYT
Kamran
A freelance content creator
The Democratic Action Party (DAP), a core pillar of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition, is reportedly re-evaluating its position within the unity government after suffering a major blow in the recent Sabah state election. According to a report by The Straits Times, discussions within the party have intensified over whether DAP should remain in the administration if long-promised reforms continue to face repeated delays beyond the middle of 2026.
Sources familiar with internal deliberations said the matter surfaced during an emergency meeting held by the party’s central executive committee shortly after the election results on November 29. DAP failed to secure any of the eight seats it contested in Sabah, an outcome viewed as far worse than anticipated. Analysts noted that the party had earlier been projected to win several seats with strong backing from Chinese-majority constituencies, but instead encountered a dramatic collapse in support.
Senior leaders within DAP reportedly believe that voter frustration has reached a tipping point. They pointed to the slow progress of institutional reforms, anti-corruption initiatives, and improvements in public service delivery — issues that have long been the backbone of Pakatan Harapan’s reform agenda. Many voters had expected the MADANI government to accelerate change, but the perceived lack of urgency appears to have eroded confidence in the ruling coalition.
During the campaign, Transport Minister and DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke acknowledged this growing discontent on the ground. He had pledged to bring these concerns directly to the Prime Minister and to push for decisive action within a six-month window. The party’s leadership is now said to be using this timeline as a benchmark to assess the government’s commitment to meaningful reform.
The shock outcome in Sabah has prompted wider concerns among political observers, who fear that urban and reform-minded voters may be turning away from the current administration. Should this trend spread to Peninsular Malaysia, it could weaken the coalition’s standing ahead of the next general election, which is expected to take place by 2028.
DAP, which played a central role in Pakatan Harapan’s historic 2018 victory, has long branded itself as a champion of good governance and multiracial politics. The possibility of withdrawing from the unity government marks a significant moment in Malaysian politics — a signal that the party may no longer be willing to shoulder the political costs of delayed reforms.
Sources familiar with internal deliberations said the matter surfaced during an emergency meeting held by the party’s central executive committee shortly after the election results on November 29. DAP failed to secure any of the eight seats it contested in Sabah, an outcome viewed as far worse than anticipated. Analysts noted that the party had earlier been projected to win several seats with strong backing from Chinese-majority constituencies, but instead encountered a dramatic collapse in support.
Senior leaders within DAP reportedly believe that voter frustration has reached a tipping point. They pointed to the slow progress of institutional reforms, anti-corruption initiatives, and improvements in public service delivery — issues that have long been the backbone of Pakatan Harapan’s reform agenda. Many voters had expected the MADANI government to accelerate change, but the perceived lack of urgency appears to have eroded confidence in the ruling coalition.
During the campaign, Transport Minister and DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke acknowledged this growing discontent on the ground. He had pledged to bring these concerns directly to the Prime Minister and to push for decisive action within a six-month window. The party’s leadership is now said to be using this timeline as a benchmark to assess the government’s commitment to meaningful reform.
The shock outcome in Sabah has prompted wider concerns among political observers, who fear that urban and reform-minded voters may be turning away from the current administration. Should this trend spread to Peninsular Malaysia, it could weaken the coalition’s standing ahead of the next general election, which is expected to take place by 2028.
DAP, which played a central role in Pakatan Harapan’s historic 2018 victory, has long branded itself as a champion of good governance and multiracial politics. The possibility of withdrawing from the unity government marks a significant moment in Malaysian politics — a signal that the party may no longer be willing to shoulder the political costs of delayed reforms.
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PAS will go orgasmic if DAP does leave Madani as speculated. And so will one Old Man, wakakaka
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