DAP’s sweeping loss in the recent 17th Sabah state election has triggered a wave of frustration among supporters who believe the party has drifted too far from its roots. After three years as a key component of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Madani federal administration, many at the grassroots feel the party has become less assertive, less vocal, and too willing to bend to the preferences of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership style.
The reaction came shortly after DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke acknowledged that the Sabah election outcome reflected a serious crisis of confidence affecting both DAP and PH. While this admission was meant as a call for introspection, the message on the ground suggests that supporters long for the harder edge DAP once displayed from the opposition bench.
Many believe the party is most effective when it operates without fear or favour, guided by the assertiveness and conviction that once defined its political brand. Long-time supporters argue that being part of the federal administration should not dilute DAP’s commitment to speaking uncomfortable truths, nor should it result in silence when issues arise that contradict its principles. To them, the party’s years in opposition—marked by blunt advocacy, firm stances, and unwavering loyalty to reform—represent its true identity.
Some voices within the broader community expressed nostalgia for the leadership style of the late Karpal Singh, urging the party to reclaim the moral courage and boldness he embodied. Others stressed that DAP’s integrity must not be compromised for political convenience or to appeal to the majority demographic. A number of critics feel the party has become too cautious, too quiet, and too willing to tolerate decisions that their supporters view as misaligned with reformist ideals.
Scepticism also surfaced about DAP’s pledge to collect voter feedback and work with the Prime Minister to accelerate reforms over the next six months. Certain observers viewed this promise as repetitive and ineffective, hinting that such commitments resemble political “templates” often reused during election cycles.
Frustration ran deeper among some long-time supporters, with individuals expressing disappointment after backing the party for generations. They argued that DAP’s current leadership lacks the commanding presence needed to rally the Chinese community and champion minority voices within the broader national framework.
Still, there were more moderate interpretations. Some believed the Sabah defeat was not a rejection of DAP as a Chinese-based party but rather a decision driven by local sentiment—specifically the desire for Sabah to be governed by leaders rooted in the state itself. They noted that many Warisan candidates who won in Chinese-majority areas were Chinese themselves, reinforcing the idea that Sabah voters prioritised local autonomy over party labels.
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