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- The DAP lost all eight seats in Sabah in the recent state poll, reflecting a "serious crisis of confidence" after urban Chinese voters - a crucial votebank - deserted PM Anwar's PH coalition.
- Dissatisfaction in the East Malaysian state stemmed from local issues like state rights and "poorer public service delivery", plus slow reforms, leading to a voter exodus.
- Party sources say the DAP has considered leaving Mr Anwar's unity government if reforms aren't expedited by 2026, and former leaders critique the administration's silence on corruption allegations.
KUALA LUMPUR - Sabahans delivered Malaysia’s largest ruling party, the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a stunning blow as it lost all eight seats it contested in the Nov 29 Sabah state poll.
This was due to urban and especially ethnic Chinese voters who make up a quarter of Malaysia’s electorate – deserting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, leaving it without its strongest votebank stretching back nearly two decades.
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