Has DAP signalled a MADANI government exit amid reform delays, Sabah wipeout?

THE Democratic Action Party (DAP), a key component of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition, is reportedly weighing the prospect of leaving the unity government should key reforms continue to stall beyond mid-2026, according to a report by The Straits Times (Singapore).

Party insiders told the Singapore-based publication that the issue was raised during an emergency meeting of DAP’s central executive committee in the wake of its unexpected losses in the Sabah state election on 29 November, where the party failed to secure any of the eight seats it contested.

Analysts described the outcome as a sharp decline in support from Chinese voters, who had previously been expected to deliver at least four seats.

Senior DAP figures have attributed the setback to growing voter frustration over the slow pace of promised improvements in governance, anti-corruption measures, and the delivery of public services—pledges that have formed the core of Pakatan Harapan’s platform for more than a decade.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who also serves as DAP Secretary-General, acknowledged voter disappointment during the campaign and vowed to relay concerns to the Prime Minister, urging swift corrective action within six months, The Straits Times reported.

Political observers warned that the Sabah results may indicate waning support for Anwar’s coalition among urban voters, potentially undermining the government’s standing ahead of the next general election, expected by 2028.

DAP, which played a pivotal role in Pakatan Harapan’s historic 2018 electoral victory, has long positioned itself as a champion of reform and multiracial governance in Malaysia. - December 4, 2025