DAP rejects Johor defeat narrative, says support grew despite losses

 

In a Facebook post yesterday, the party said official figures showed DAP secured 66,823 more votes across its 10 incumbent seats in Johor, an increase of 41.8 per cent from 159,769 votes in the 2022 state election to 226,592 votes this year. — PIC FROM DAP PERAK’ FB

IPOH: Perak DAP has rejected claims that it lost support in the Johor election, saying the party actually gained votes despite losing four seats.

In a Facebook post yesterday, the party said official figures showed DAP secured 66,823 more votes across its 10 incumbent seats in Johor, an increase of 41.8 per cent from 159,769 votes in the 2022 state election to 226,592 votes this year.

"DAP did not lose voters in Johor. We gained support. We did not lose because our supporters disappeared. We lost because our opponents consolidated their support more effectively," it said.

The party said the same trend was seen in the four seats it lost — Jementah, Tangkak, Johor Jaya and Perling — where its total votes and vote share increased.

DAP's combined votes in the four constituencies rose from 55,392 in 2022 to 82,997 this year, while its vote share increased from 42.07 per cent to 44.36 per cent.

However, Barisan Nasional (BN) recorded a larger jump, with its votes increasing from 49,037 to 95,971, pushing its combined vote share from 37.24 per cent to 51.29 per cent.

"This is the central fact," the party said.

Perak DAP attributed the outcome to the decline in support for third-force parties, particularly Perikatan Nasional (PN), claiming much of the support shifted to BN.

It said constituency-level trends suggested BN had absorbed a significant portion of votes previously held by PN and Pas, although individual voter choices could not be determined.

"The old Muafakat Nasional model appears to have returned in practice, under a new alignment which has yet to be named," it said.

The party said Umno provided the candidates, machinery and state-government platform, while PN and Pas supporters contributed much of the additional support needed to defeat Pakatan Harapan (PH) in marginal seats.

Perak DAP acknowledged that PH and DAP must review issues involving policy, leadership, communication, campaign strategy and candidate selection.

"But facts must come before sentiment. The numbers do not show a collapse in DAP support. They show an increase in DAP support which was overtaken by a larger consolidation behind BN," it said.

The party warned that any seat where DAP commands less than 50 per cent support should be considered vulnerable, citing Stulang, which survived with a majority of just 623 votes.

It said DAP must retain existing supporters, mobilise non-voters and broaden its appeal among Malay voters, mixed communities, younger voters and working families.

"A renewed Malay-unity alignment, whether formally announced or quietly implemented, poses the largest structural threat to PH," it said.

DAP said the election outcome should not be viewed as an excuse but as a basis to understand its weaknesses, make corrections and prepare for future contests. - NST