Sabah state election: It’s time for DAP to wake up

Sabah state election: It’s time for DAP to wake up

By Ronald Benjamin






PAKATAN Harapan (PH) saw a disappointing outcome in the 17th Sabah state election yesterday, winning just one seat despite fielding 22 candidates.


DAP suffered a heavy defeat, where the party lost all eight seats it contested. The party’s biggest setback came in Tanjung Aru, where Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who is also Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister, was unseated by Warisan.


Contesting under the Pakatan Harapan banner, 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?

It is obvious that the people of Sabah have rejected an elitist DAP under Anthony Loke’s leadership where people see the party as one that does not stand for common people or understand the real plight of middle class and the poor which its past leaders like P. Patto and Fan Yew Teng stood for.


With Cabinet positions it has become a party uncritical of the Prime Minister’s ambiguity and double standards in the fight against corruption and upholding human rights.

The people of Sabah, especially the young, have seen the folly that has infected the party.

DAP MPs in Parliament basically follow the tone of its leadership who tend to satisfy the dictates of the Prime Minister and UMNO even though it has the highest number of seats in comparison to PKR and UMNO.

PH as a whole has failed to introduce any meaningful reforms in regards to draconian laws or come up bipartisan plans for the social economic wellbeing of the people which is what is expected of conscientious MPs.

Even though such efforts could be opposed by PKR or UMNO, at least the people would have seen the efforts being taken.

Its certain pro-developer political elites have dented its image among common Malaysians who once supported it.

Therefore it is hoped that the DAP and PH as a whole wakes up from its slumber and start playing a principle and constructive role by being seen around with the common people and shred its elitist and unprincipled attitude. ‒ Dec 1, 2025



Ronald Benjamin is a human resources practitioner based in Ipoh. He is currently secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.