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With Pakatan Harapan (PH) continuing to struggle against the Malay-centric narratives pushed by Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), it’s component DAP meanwhile is increasingly finding itself in a battle to retain the support of its traditional non-Malay voter base.
Principal adviser at the Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia Dr Oh Ei Sun believes DAP is under mounting pressure following its disappointing performances in the Sabah and Johor state elections, warning that DAP appears to be ‘drowning’ as it searches for a way to reverse its fortunes.
However, Oh questioned the rationale behind DAP leaders’ recent statement and decisions, describing them as puzzling given the party’s current political challenges.
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“I think DAP is by now grasping at political straws in trying to address its dismal losses in Sabah and Johor.
“It is likely that DAP would like to draw a line in the political sand in Melaka, but it begs conventional political understanding as to how this knee-jerk act could somehow lead to its electoral advantage there when the state election comes,” he told TRP.
According to Oh, the party is caught in a difficult political dilemma. While PH has struggled to counter perceptions that it is “not Malay enough”, any attempt to pivot too far towards Malay-centric politics risks alienating DAP’s core non-Malay supporters.
DAP is facing a political crossroads, with the party under pressure over the Selangor pig farming controversy and criticism surrounding the Negeri Sembilan royal issue.
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“PH is indeed hard put to counter its ‘not Malay enough’ narrative, as being overtly and overly Malay-centric will drive away its core non-Malay supporters,” he said.
When asked whether DAP is effectively fighting the battle on its own, Oh did not dismiss the notion.
“What to do? This country remains communally divided,” he said.
Recent election results have also fuelled debate over whether DAP is beginning to lose some of the overwhelming support it once enjoyed among non-Malay voters.
Analysts have pointed to factors such as the rising cost of living, frustration over the pace of reforms and voter fatigue after years of coalition politics as possible reasons behind shifting voter sentiment.
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The party’s setbacks in Sabah and Johor have intensified questions over whether sections of its traditional support base are becoming more willing to back rival parties, including MCA, as evident in the Johor state election.
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