Growing expressions of nostalgia for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak among segments of the Chinese community point to mounting frustration with the current administration, according to MUDA deputy president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz.
Speaking in discussions aired on January 31, 2026, Amira said she had repeatedly encountered remarks from Chinese voters who viewed Najib’s tenure more favourably than the present political climate. She noted that similar sentiments were shared during her community outreach activities, including recent visits to local markets where elderly residents openly compared the current government unfavourably with the past.
Amira described this trend as a serious warning sign, stressing that it should not be viewed solely as a challenge for the Democratic Action Party (DAP), but as a broader national concern. In her assessment, the growing willingness among some voters to look back fondly on Najib’s era, despite his conviction, reflected deep anger and disappointment with the pace and direction of reforms under the MADANI administration.
Three years after the formation of the current government, she observed that expectations of meaningful change had not been met for parts of the electorate that had strongly backed reformist promises in previous elections. According to Amira, the sentiment suggested that frustration had reached a level where some voters were indifferent to the implications of returning to a past they once rejected.
Amira also reflected on MUDA’s earlier cooperation with Pakatan Harapan following the 2022 general election. At the time, she said, the party had placed significant trust in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s long-standing reform agenda, which had inspired optimism across younger voters and minority communities. However, she claimed that within a year, the reform momentum appeared to slow, eventually prompting MUDA to withdraw from the coalition.
She pointed to the outcome of the Sabah state election in 2025 as a symbolic turning point. Pakatan Harapan failed to retain any seats, while DAP did not secure victory in the eight constituencies it contested. Amira interpreted the result as a signal of dissatisfaction among Chinese voters, warning that similar backlash could occur in Peninsular Malaysia if grievances remain unaddressed.
According to her, concerns expressed by voters extended beyond party politics and reflected a broader sense of alienation from decision-making processes. She urged component parties within the government, including DAP, Parti Amanah Negara and Parti Keadilan Rakyat, to move beyond internal assessments and deliver visible reforms.
Amira argued that responsibility for change should not rest solely on the prime minister, adding that ministers across all parties must act decisively. She cautioned that the coming months would be critical, as failure to implement reforms early in 2026 could further erode public confidence ahead of the 16th General Election.
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