THE loss of US President Donald J. Trump's Republican party in the mid - term Senate and Congress elections is a firm reminder that cost-of-living issues are a big electoral concern worldwide.
DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng said that the losses came despite the US, as the world's biggest economy, recording a 3.4 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the third quarter of 2026.
It was an impressive growth figure, but it couldn't deliver the votes to sustain continuity, said Lim.
"Some US states which the Republican Party had controlled for close to three decades were also lost to the Democrats. It is an eye-opener for us."
The issues are hauntingly similar to Malaysia; from rising living costs to uneven growth and the high compliance costs (income taxation), said Lim in a statement.
Many voters in the US did not benefit from the growth extolled by Trump because the country has two economic layers - growth in only a few sectors such as tech, but many in the mainstream working class did not enjoy such benefits, said Lim.
Our country is also similarly in a two - layer economic scenario - a strong growth of six percent GDP but the micro, small medium enterprises struggling to cope with hidden costs and inflation although controlled.
This is exacerbated by the compliance issues enforced by the relevant authorities, from local council taxes to income tax requirements, said Lim in a statement.
"Our government needs to heed the lessons from the US mid - term elections. We need to recognise the grievances of the working class, especially workers."
Lim urged the public sector, including the statisticians, to step out from the comfort of "air-conditioned rooms" to listen to the grassroots grievances.
He urged policymakers to focus on policies which reduce costs and bring higher value to the wages.
"If those responsible failed to deliver, it means our leadership can lose positions in the next general election," said Lim.
The same fate which had befallen Trump may translate to the leadership here losing seats too.
"We must avoid being entrapped by figures which look good on paper but do not reflect the realities out there," said Lim. - November 5, 2026.
