PETALING JAYA: The results of the Negeri Sembilan election show that DAP largely retained Chinese support, despite the notion that the community has deserted Pakatan Harapan, says a former MCA leader.
Former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker pointed out that DAP won nine of PH’s 11 seats despite the coalition’s other components performing relatively poorly.
Ti said even DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook’s slim defeat in Chennah after three terms was not a sign of Chinese rejection. The mixed seat has a 47.8% Malay electorate, followed by Chinese (42.6%), Orang Asli (6.3%) and Indians (2%).
Loke lost by 688 votes in a straight fight with MCA’s Siow Kong Choon.
“One thing is undeniable: Chinese votes remain DAP’s main bastion. While there was definitely a change in sentiment towards PH, it did not happen across all segments of voters.
“The Chinese have not deserted DAP, but DAP also cannot assume that the Chinese votes are automatically theirs.
“On the other hand, it’s glaring that PH does not have a similarly solid Malay vote bank. And without increasing Malay support, DAP’s strength in Chinese areas would not be enough for PH to hold on to power,” he said in a Facebook post.
Ti, a former deputy minister, said many Malays still do not see DAP as a moderate party despite it being in PH, joined by Malay leaders from PKR and Amanah.
He said it would take more than two election cycles for the party to undo its chauvinist image established over decades, despite the change in guard with Loke and others pushing a more moderate stand.
Loke was first elected DAP secretary-general in 2022, taking over Lim Guan Eng, who had held the post for 18 years.
