The rocket still flies; now it must chart its next course

 

FOLLOWING the Sabah and Johor elections, some began questioning whether DAP was sliding towards political irrelevance. They viewed the results as evidence that the party’s influence was steadily diminishing.

In earlier writings, I cautioned against treating individual state election results as a definitive measure of DAP’s long-term prospects. The recently concluded Negeri Sembilan election has reinforced that view.

The results deserve an honest assessment. Pakatan Harapan (PH) lost the state government, while DAP lost two seats, including Chennah, where secretary-general Anthony Loke was defeated by a razor-thin majority of 688 votes.

PKR secured only two seats, down from five previously, while Amanah failed to retain its sole seat.

These are sobering outcomes and should not be dismissed. Loke has since stepped down as Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman.

Yet beyond Chennah, itself a mixed seat with a Malay majority, the overall picture is more nuanced than the headlines suggest.

DAP retained nine of the 11 seats it contested. Many were defended with respectable, and in some cases convincing, majorities. The results suggest the party’s support remains more resilient than many had anticipated.

DAP still possesses a committed support base, an established grassroots organisation and a political identity that continues to resonate with many voters.

Preliminary analyses indicate that while support among its traditional base has softened slightly, it remains largely intact, something that is not unusual in electoral  politics.

The defeats in Chennah and Repah should also be viewed within the context of broader political realignments that first became apparent in Johor and may continue to shape future elections.

History suggests DAP has weathered more difficult moments.

In the 1999 general election, then secretary-general and parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, now Tan Sri, lost both the Bukit Bendera parliamentary seat and the Kebun Bunga state seat in Penang.

DAP won only 10 parliamentary seats, prompting many to question whether the party could recover from such a severe setback.

It did.

Nine years later, DAP became part of the Pakatan Rakyat breakthrough that denied Barisan Nasional its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time in nearly four decades. That political realignment eventually paved the way for PH’s historic victory in the 2018 general election.

I have little doubt that DAP can recover from its current setback. The more important task is to assess the results honestly and turn them into an opportunity for renewal.

The upcoming DAP National Congress on Aug 16 therefore comes at a critical moment.

It should be more than an exercise in analysing election statistics or repeating familiar narratives. It should provide an opportunity for genuine reflection on the party’s future direction, including its role within the Madani government.

Several important questions deserve serious discussion.

Should DAP focus on consolidating its traditional support base, or should it place greater emphasis on reaching new groups of voters? Should it adopt a more confrontational political style, or a more conciliatory one?

How should it refine its outreach without compromising the principles that have long defined the party? And how should it continue navigating coalition politics in an increasingly fragmented political landscape?

Political cooperation remains essential in Malaysia’s multiparty system. However, coalition-building should be driven by shared objectives rather than simply preserving political arrangements or retaining positions.

As DAP reviews its strategy, it must carefully weigh both the benefits and compromises that come with political partnerships.

Throughout this process, the party’s core values must remain clear. Good governance, equality, institutional reform, educational advancement and socio-economic progress should remain non-negotiable.

These principles have attracted generations of supporters because they transcend race and speak to the aspirations of many Malaysians.

At the same time, elections cannot be won by speaking only to those who already support the party. Sustained electoral success depends on expanding the coalition of Malaysians willing to place their trust in DAP.

That requires not only defending its principles, but communicating them in ways that resonate beyond its traditional base.

Renewal should therefore be about broadening the party’s appeal without diluting the values that define it.

Negeri Sembilan demonstrates that DAP remains politically relevant and retains considerable organisational strength. At the same time, it also suggests that yesterday’s formula may not be sufficient for tomorrow’s challenges.

The rocket still flies.

The question now is where it chooses to go next. 

Ben Fong Kok Seng is the DAP Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Treasurer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia.