By JAMES LEONG
SANDAKAN: Sabah DAP will focus on defending its Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary seats while rebuilding public confidence and pushing for institutional reforms following its defeat in the November 2025 State Election.
Its chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said the party’s immediate priorities were to strengthen its grassroots machinery, recruit new members and consolidate support in the two constituencies held by Vivian Wong Shir Yee (Sandakan) and Datuk Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu).
Speaking after the Sabah DAP annual convention here on Nov 8, Phoong said the party would concentrate on its existing strongholds rather than spread its resources too thinly.
Sabah DAP lost all eight state seats it contested in the previous State Election, a result Phoong described as painful.
He admitted that the party had failed to fully understand the concerns of Sabahans, adding that public trust had to be earned again.
The party is also considering internal reforms, including greater autonomy for Sabah DAP, as more Sabahans want decisions affecting the state to be made locally.
Meanwhile, Chan, who is also DAP Sabah deputy chairman and a member of the party’s Central Executive Committee, said DAP must remain committed to the reform agenda that led to the change of government in 2018.
In his speech at the convention, Chan said Malaysians had voted for more than a change of administration, calling for an end to abuse of power, corruption and a political culture that placed political interests above public institutions.
Referring to the 1MDB scandal and developments involving former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, he stressed that no individual, regardless of position or influence, should be above the law.
Chan said DAP must uphold judicial independence, due process and the constitutional role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong while ensuring that political cooperation in the Unity Government did not undermine institutional integrity.
He called for faster institutional reforms, including separating the powers of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, protecting judicial independence, strengthening parliamentary oversight and improving government transparency.
He added that DAP’s participation in the Unity Government must continue to serve as a force for reform, even when progress was slow.
Chan also urged the party to adopt a new political approach in Sabah, saying repeated changes of government had not delivered the improvements expected by the people.
Both leaders stressed the need for Sabah DAP to rebuild its support, strengthen its organisation and restore public confidence while remaining committed to democratic and institutional reforms.
Phoong said the party is also considering internal reforms including greater autonomy for Sabah DAP.
