DAP veteran: Pakatan Harapan's election losses are a shared responsibility
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A veteran DAP leader stated that Pakatan Harapan's (PH) recent state election losses cannot be solely blamed on the DAP.
- All component parties within the PH coalition share responsibility for the performance and must work together to regain public trust before the next general election.
- PH must prioritize serving the people, focusing on welfare and a multi-ethnic agenda, rather than identity politics, to succeed.
A senior Democratic Action Party (DAP) figure has asserted that the recent defeats suffered by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in state elections should not be attributed to the DAP alone. Dr. Tan Seng Giaw, a veteran DAP leader, emphasized that all parties within the PH coalition bear a shared responsibility for the coalition's performance. He called for a united effort to restore public confidence ahead of the 16th General Election (PRU16). "The defeat of PH and the rejection by the majority of voters cannot be blamed on DAP alone. It is the responsibility of all parties in PH," Dr. Tan stated. He stressed that there is still time before the next election for PH parties to work together to serve the populace and demonstrate the government's ability to meet expectations. Dr. Tan also highlighted the importance of ensuring the welfare of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, and moving away from identity-based politics. He cautioned that neglecting the multi-ethnic nature of Malaysian society could lead to lasting negative perceptions among voters. Regarding Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, Dr. Tan suggested that all political actions and strategies require continuous evaluation and refinement based on current circumstances. He noted that leaders must prioritize the nation and its people, and that political motivations should not be driven by vengeance. Crucially, he advised that the PH leadership must transition from an opposition mindset to effectively govern.
The defeat of PH and the rejection by the majority of voters cannot be blamed on DAP alone. It is the responsibility of all parties in PH.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.