Go back to basics, DAP, former MP says following its crushing defeat in Sabah polls

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has called upon the DAP go back to basics in light of the crushing defeat the party received in the Sabah state election yesterday.

“Sabah’s results weren’t a fluke. They were a message. Whether DAP listens now will determine if this is just a setback or the beginning of a nationwide slide,” he said on Facebook.

He also reminded the party that the anger of the Chinese voters was not confined to Sabah.

“DAP’s crushing defeat in Sabah is more than just a local political tremor. It’s a full-blown backlash, especially among Chinese voters who once formed the party’s core support. When your most loyal base turns away, it’s not a warning sign anymore; it’s a verdict.

“And if DAP thinks this anger is confined to Sabah, it’s deluding itself. The same resentment is simmering in the Peninsular. People are tired of being taken for granted, tired of mixed signals, and tired of a party that seems unsure of what it stands for whenever power is at stake.

“DAP needs to return to basics: people-centred issues, cost of living, livelihoods, governance, accountability, transparency and public service. These are the fundamentals that built its reputation; not political manoeuvring or coalition acrobatics. Losing sight of this is exactly how it lost Sabah.”

He reminded the party to once again become the party of the ordinary people that spoke truth to power.

“There’s also no escaping the issue of tone. A perception of arrogance has taken root: a sense that the party preaches more than it listens. That has to end. Voters don’t owe any party their loyalty; parties owe the people humility and hard work.

“For years, DAP branded itself as the party of ordinary Malaysians, the party that dared to speak truth to power. That identity has blurred. To survive, it must behave like a party of the people again and by that I mean by being grounded, disciplined, and focused on service, not posturing.”

DAP is part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition. It contested eight seats and lost all eight.