DAP Sabah Vows to Rebuild and Speak Up for Sabah

17 May 2026

KOTA KINABALU: DAP Sabah chairman and Malaysia Senator Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe has urged party leaders and grassroots members to remain steadfast in their commitment to serving the people, saying that regardless of political highs or lows the party must continue to fulfil its responsibilities and strive for a better future for Sabah.

DAP Secretary‑General Anthony Loke, who officiated the event, called on all DAP Sabah members to stay united so the party can rebuild momentum and return to the Sabah government at the next state election in four years’ time.

Anthony acknowledged the party’s setback in the November 2025 Sabah election but emphasised that DAP remains determined and committed to reform and public service.

He thanked Sabah party leaders and grassroots members for their loyalty and their continued service to the people despite the electoral defeat.

He also stressed that the party leadership values Sabah’s voice at national level, which is why Phoong Jin Zhe was nominated to the Dewan Negara to represent Sabahans and raise Sabah issues directly with the federal government.

Anthony made these remarks in his opening address at the 2025 DAP Sabah Annual Convention, held on Saturday evening (16 May) at Dewan Foochow, Kota Kinabalu.

Although DAP no longer holds seats in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, Anthony noted that the party still has parliamentary representation through Kota Kinabalu MP and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Chan Foong Hin, and Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee.

He urged DAP Sabah members to stay united and prepare for the next general election to defend both parliamentary incumbents.

Anthony highlighted several reform initiatives undertaken by the MADANI government since the Sabah election, including efforts to accelerate corporate tax refunds, the reduction of service tax on rental and leasing services from 8% to 6%, and the recently unsuccessful constitutional amendment aimed at limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to two terms or 10 years.

He added that the government is expected to table separation of powers reforms between the Attorney‑General and the Public Prosecutor in Parliament this July, which could mark another institutional reform milestone under the MADANI administration.

“These are among the continuous reforms being pursued by the government. While challenges and resistance remain, we will not retreat. We hope the people will continue supporting DAP so that more meaningful reforms can be implemented,” he said.

Anthony also described the government’s recent decision allowing Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders to apply to public universities for related programmes as a historic and meaningful first step.

He said continued engagement and perseverance would open more opportunities in future, leading to fairer treatment for UEC students nationwide.

Sabah must speak up, urges Phoong.

Phoong said DAP Sabah had endured a difficult and disappointing state election six months ago, but the strong turnout and unity at the convention showed the party remains cohesive and determined to move forward. He expressed gratitude to all party members who participated in the November 2025 campaign and acknowledged the difficult road since the defeat.

He said the experience had offered an opportunity for reflection and self‑assessment, urging members to regroup, continue working hard, and gradually regain the people’s trust. Over the past six months, DAP Sabah has run post‑election engagement sessions across the state to listen to grassroots members and public feedback while reconsidering the party’s future direction.

Phoong stressed that the party’s “track record and performance” approach may not have delivered electoral success last time, but that does not mean serving the people is the wrong path.

“Politics must continue to be about working for the people and delivering solutions. That remains the core of DAP’s struggle,” he said, citing DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s perseverance through adversity as an example.

Reflecting on his former role as Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship before the 2025 election, Phoong said he had promoted investment and job‑creation initiatives that helped reduce Sabah’s unemployment rate.

“These are meaningful contributions made in service to Sabah and the nation, and they should not end because of one or two political setbacks,” he said.

Phoong pledged to speak up more courageously for Sabah, particularly on the long‑standing issue of Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement. He urged Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim to honour that commitment and respond to Sabahans’ aspirations without further delay.

He also warned that Sabah’s growing illegal immigrant problem “the elephant in the room” can no longer be ignored. He said rising concerns over undocumented migrants and population pressures require urgent, practical solutions, and failure to act could have serious long‑term economic and social consequences for the state.

Phoong called on the federal government to maintain diesel subsidies in Sabah, noting many areas still lag in development and face structural disparities compared with Peninsular Malaysia. Although DAP is no longer part of the state administration, he said the party will continue to play a responsible and constructive role by monitoring issues affecting Sabahans, including electricity tariff hikes, port congestion, delays to the Pan Borneo Highway project, water supply disruptions, and other everyday concerns.

Phoong also urged the newly appointed MACC Chief Commissioner to prioritise restoring public confidence in the anti‑corruption agency by taking firm action against major corruption‑related controversies, including alleged corporate cartel scandals and the Sabah mining scandal.