Dap Faces Uphill Battle To Hold Sabah S Chinese Vote Amid Growing Sabah For Sabahan Sentiment

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AS Sabah gears up for the Nov 29 state election, the DAP finds itself fighting to retain its traditional urban Chinese support amid shifting political loyalties and rising localist sentiment.
Political observer James Chin, in an opinion piece in the Borneo Post, says the Chinese electorate in Sabah, far from being a monolithic bloc, is now fragmented among several players, from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a Tawau-based pro–free enterprise outfit, to the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) led by veteran politician Yong Teck Lee.
Both parties are contesting Chinese-majority seats with reform-driven manifestos. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan are also competing for a share of the Chinese vote, while MCA and Gerakan, if they choose to field candidates, are expected to perform poorly — possibly even losing their deposits.
Despite recent internal turbulence, including the resignation of Sandakan DAP strongman Frankie Poon, the party remains the dominant force among urban Chinese voters. Many view Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe as performing adequately, though some warn DAP could suffer if it parachutes “helicopter candidates” into Sandakan.
However, questions about DAP’s autonomy from its federal leadership persist. Some voters perceive the Sabah DAP as too subservient to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Malayan DAP hierarchy, a perception that could hurt the party if the “Sabah for Sabahan” movement gains traction during the campaign, says Chin.
Complicating matters, PH, of which DAP is a key component, is working with both GRS and UMNO Sabah, two groups currently at odds, leading to accusations of political double-dealing.
“DAP may also suffer during the long campaign over PH playing both sides. PH is working with both GRS and UMNO Sabah. GRS is at war with UMNO Sabah,” Chin wrote.
“DAP can come under pressure if STAR and Warisan manage to get credible Chinese candidates. If during the long campaign period, there is clear momentum towards the ‘Sabah for Sabahan’ sentiment, then Sabah DAP will have a lot of explaining to do,” he added.
However, Chin says the Chinese electorate could again emerge as a decisive bloc in determining the state’s political balance. Yet, unlike in Sarawak where Chinese voters typically back local parties for state seats and DAP for parliamentary ones, Sabah’s Chinese community appears divided, with no clear consensus.
As Sabah heads toward its 17th state election on November 29, political activity is intensifying across Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau. While larger debates centre on federal encroachment, Sabah-for-Sabahans sentiment, and economic grievances, analysts say the Chinese community, though a minority, could once again play a decisive role.
Sabah has about 1.8 mil registered voters, up from 1.1 mil in 2020 due to youth enfranchisement and population growth. Of these, roughly 190,000 are Chinese voters, making up less than 20% of the electorate.
Chinese voters dominate in at least eight constituencies, Luyang, Likas, Inanam, Kepayan, Api-Api, Karamunting, Elopura, Tanjung Papat, and Sri Tanjong, with an average 70% turnout rate. Their votes could also tip results in another 13 constituencies where they make up 20–30% of voters.
In total, a cohesive Chinese bloc could influence outcomes in 20 of the 73 state seats, potentially deciding whether the ruling GRS retains power or yields to Parti Warisan or a STAR-led coalition.
While the DAP is expected to maintain control of most core Chinese-majority seats, the rest remain highly competitive.
Chin says Sabah’s Chinese electorate remains a diverse and pragmatic bloc, not entirely aligned with the DAP. Around 20–25 per cent continue to back Warisan and GRS, guided by local priorities rather than national narratives.
Warisan, under Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, earned goodwill through tangible benefits for the Chinese community, while GRS, led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, has tried to appeal with promises such as a Chinese deputy chief ministership—though voters value influence over titles. - Focus Malaysia

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