After defeat in Sabah, Harapan leaders warn of nationwide backlash

PKR supreme council member Lee Chean Chung issued a stark warning that the political shockwaves from the Sabah election yesterday could swell into a nationwide backlash if Pakatan Harapan fails to confront growing voter dissatisfaction.

“It’s a warning that Harapan’s integrity and progressive offering appear unclear and unreliable,” he said, stressing that the defeat should not be dismissed as a regional anomaly.

“This isn’t just a Sabah issue - without real change, a nationwide backlash may follow. Never take urban voters’ support for granted,” the Petaling Jaya MP posted on Facebook.

The Sabah election, which concluded last night, saw parties such as Harapan’s DAP and PKR, as well as Bersatu and PAS of Perikatan Nasional, which hold significant political territory in Peninsular Malaysia, losing most of their contests, if not being wiped out completely.

DAP lost all its constituencies to Warisan, while its partner, PKR, lost all but one of the 13 seats it contested.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago echoed Lee’s concerns, describing DAP’s heavy losses in Sabah as a blunt verdict from voters - particularly Chinese voters who historically formed the party’s strongest base.

“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,” Charles said in a statement today.

“When your most loyal base turns away, it’s not a warning sign anymore; it’s a verdict.”

‘Return to basics’

The DAP man cautioned that the anger witnessed in Sabah is already simmering in the peninsula, as voters are tired of being taken for granted, of mixed signals, and of a party that seems unsure of what it stands for whenever power is at stake.

Charles said DAP needs to return to its basics: focusing on people-centred issues, the cost of living, 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 added that a perception of arrogance has taken root, eroding the party’s identity as a people-centred movement.

“To survive, it must behave like a party of the people again. Grounded, disciplined, and focused on service - not posturing.

“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,” said Charles.

Hajiji sworn in as CM, extends olive branch to rivals

Official: GRS 29, Warisan 25, PKR 1

COMMENT | Sabah predictions: Divided local wave

In greater Kota Kinabalu, DAP touts service as scandal drags down Harapan