DAP Unease Deepens as Guan Eng’s Tone Sharpens After Sabah Election Collapse

DAP Unease Deepens as Guan Eng’s Tone Sharpens After Sabah Election Collapse


9 Dec 2025 • 1:30 PM MYT


Kamran
A freelance content creator

Image credit: Malay Mail


DAP’s sweeping defeat in the November 2025 Sabah state elections has triggered a notable shift in the party’s internal dynamics, with former secretary-general Lim Guan Eng emerging as a leading voice of dissatisfaction. The party’s total loss of all eight contested seats — including areas long viewed as dependable Chinese-majority bases — has intensified scrutiny toward the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the broader Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.


The defeat appears to have jolted Lim’s stance. Weeks before the polls, he had been publicly applauding the administration’s economic direction. He had highlighted Malaysia’s first services account surplus in over a decade, firm third-quarter GDP growth, and a stronger ringgit as indicators of responsible fiscal management. He had also pointed to a favourable debt position and gains from earlier Samurai bond issuances as signs of economic resilience under the unity government.


However, what began as praise has now shifted into open concern. The Sabah outcome, widely linked to voter frustration over new tax burdens — particularly heightened sales and service tax applications that affected tuition centres and small businesses — has forced a reassessment of PH’s political strategy. Lim has indicated that non-Malay voters, traditionally reliable supporters of the coalition, may have begun interpreting federal economic policies as insensitive to community pressures.


His recent statements suggest that the Sabah results should be read as a warning from the electorate, particularly those angered by policy decisions they perceive as poorly timed or inadequately justified. He has stressed that elected representatives carry the responsibility of holding the government accountable when decisions fall short of expectations, regardless of political alliances.


Lim’s latest remarks highlight his belief that the prime minister cannot afford to dismiss the sentiment coming out of Sabah. He warns that sidelining these signals could undermine PH’s standing nationwide and weaken DAP’s influence within the coalition. The message appears directed at urging Anwar to deliver more meaningful commitments to non-Malay communities — especially in the areas of education, cultural support, and funding for schools and houses of worship.


This shift in tone reveals deeper cracks within PH. Lim had previously asserted in early 2025 that DAP’s support for the government was steadfast, yet not unconditional. Now, his urgency underscores a coalition under strain as it grapples with the political fallout from Sabah’s electoral shock.


With the 16th General Election inching closer, the unity government faces mounting pressure to recalibrate its policies and restore trust — particularly among voters who once viewed PH as the primary vehicle for reform.

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Guanee wants to return to mainstream political leadership - he misses the excitement, wakakaka