KUCHING: The major loss of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) in the Sabah State Election not only reflects a comprehensive shift in public sentiment in the state but also serves as a warning for the party in Sarawak.
In stating this, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Councilor Eric Tay Tze Kok said that in the 2020 election, DAP contested seven seats in Sabah and won six, which was considered a significant victory.
“However, in the 2025 election, the party contested eight seats but lost all, indicating that its political foundation in East Malaysia has been seriously weakened.
“Even long-standing strongholds such as Likas and Luyang were lost, ending over a decade of DAP’s control in these areas. This demonstrates that voter support for the party is rapidly declining,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He stated that the core of voters’ disappointment lies in DAP’s repeated failure to deliver on its central pledge of returning 40 per cent of net tax revenue (Revenue Return) to Sabah, one of the most sensitive state issues.
“While the promise is a crucial state rights matter, maybe because the party repeatedly responded with ‘under study’ or ‘needs time’, causing voters to feel the commitment was empty rhetoric.
“Many Sabah residents felt that while DAP spoke idealistically during campaigns, it failed to implement these promises once in power, and expressing dissatisfaction through the ballot is a fully understandable reaction,” said Tay.
Tay noted that the political mindset of voters in Sarawak and Sabah shows a similar trend.
“East Malaysian voters increasingly do not trust West Malaysian parties to genuinely defend local interests and are more inclined to support local parties to secure greater autonomy, resources, and tangible local benefits.
“The Sabah election results show that public dissatisfaction with national parties is turning into support for local opposition parties,” he added.
He personally believes that the DAP’s previous reliance on the “keep the flame alive” and “sympathy vote” narratives can no longer persuade voters.
He also remarked that the loss of Likas and Luyang, long-standing DAP strongholds, indicates that traditional bases are losing influence.
“Younger voters are rejecting old-style opposition narratives, and local opposition forces are steadily rising.
“With only two seats remaining in the Sarawak State Assembly, DAP’s defeat in Sabah sends a clear warning to the party in Sarawak: narratives from national parties can no longer attract voters, who increasingly prefer to give their votes to local opposition parties to balance GPS and safeguard local interests,” he said
Tay emphasised that the Sabah election results were not accidental but the outcome of accumulated public sentiment over time.
“The election reflects East Malaysians’ strong focus on parties fulfilling promises and defending local interests, and it also signals the declining appeal of West Malaysian parties in East Malaysia.
“The situation in Sabah today may well foreshadow what DAP in Sarawak could face in the near future,” he said.
