ASEAN Beat | Politics | Southeast Asia

The Dilemma Facing Malaysia’s Democratic Action Party

Until 2022, the DAP had spent six decades in opposition – but gaining a foothold in government has been a mixed blessing.

Members of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) attend a special party conference at the Putrajaya International Convention Center in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Aug. 16, 2026.

Poor electoral performances in the Sabah, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan Malaysian state elections overshadowed the Democratic Action Party (DAP)’s national congress on August 16.

The extraordinary congress was called in the wake of the disappointing return in Negeri Sembilan on August 1, which analysts said was due to the government’s perceived mishandling of corruption cases and concerns over its commitment to promised reforms.

The DAP leadership subsequently decided to convene a special national congress, at which it would table a motion on whether the party should remain a part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

Although the party voted in favor of remaining a part of the government, the meeting highlighted the DAP’s predicament over what cost the party is paying for finally tasting the fruits of power.

The 60-year-old party, once seen as the most vocal opponent of the old Malay establishment, today has to remain “silent” on the shortcomings of Anwar’s government, including alleged corruption charges.

It was this silence which reverberated loudly during the congress as most delegates were concerned about the party losing appeal among its core voters,  urban and semi-urban ethnic Chinese communities. Results of the three state elections reflected this, as the party lost seats which it had held for three consecutive terms.

Sangeet Kaur Deo, the daughter of the late prominent Malaysian lawyer and DAP stalwart Karpal Singh, raised the issue of the party’s silence on many issues concerning corruption. Sangeet said voters had questioned DAP’s silence on too many issues, like the discharge not amounting to an acquittal granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on 47 corruption charges in September 2023.

“So stay in government and speak up while we are there. And if we must become opposition again, at least we have laid the basis and regained credibility,” she said.

She urged the DAP’s Central Executive Committee to “seriously reassess” its relationship........

© The Diplomat