KOTA KINABALU: DAP has suffered its worst-ever result in Sabah, getting wiped out in all eight seats it contested.
It was a huge setback for the party, which has always considered the urban seats of Kapayan, Luyang and Likas as its strongholds since 2013.
In 2020, DAP had won six seats: Likas, Luyang, Kapayan, Sri Tanjong, Elopura and Tanjong Papat.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke conceded defeat in all seats last night and took full responsibility for the thrashing.
“We accept and respect the decision of voters in the eight constituencies,” the secretary-general said in a statement.
The party’s biggest setback came in Tanjung Aru, where Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who is also Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister, was unseated by Warisan.
The Kota Kinabalu MP only managed 1,039 votes against two-term assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong, who got 2,603 votes in a nine-cornered battle.
Contesting under the Pakatan Harapan banner, DAP was also outperformed in other constituencies, including Sri Tanjong, Kapayan, Elopura, Likas, Luyang and Tanjung Papat.
“The party leadership will take lessons from this outcome, reassess our shortcomings and work to regain public support,” he said.
Despite the setback, Sabah DAP still has two parliamentary representatives.
Loke said both MPs will redouble their efforts and initiatives in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.
Sabah DAP chief Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, who is also the state industrial development and entrepreneur minister, was badly defeated in Likas.
He only got 2,644 votes while Warisan candidate Tham Yun Fook garnered 4,781 votes in a six-cornered fight.
DAP fielded a new face, Chan Loong Wei, in Luyang and paid the price when he only managed 4,944 votes against Warisan’s Samuel Wong Tshun Chuen, who had 11,234 votes.
In Kapayan, Warisan’s Chin Tek Ming polled 3,455 votes to beat DAP’s two-term incumbent Jannie Lasimbang, who only got 1,514 votes. Lasimbang is Sabah DAP’s vice-chairman.
Sabah DAP secretary and Sandakan MP Vivian Wong lost in the Elopura state seat, polling only 4,001 votes against Warisan’s two-term incumbent Calvin Chong, who had 6,307.
In Kemabong, DAP’s Noorita Sual failed to make inroads when she was defeated by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) Rubin Balang in a nine-cornered fight.
Noorita only had 2,889 votes to Rubin’s 4,486 votes.
In Tanjong Papat, DAP’s Tang Szu Ching only managed 1,623 votes to the 2,283 votes won by Warisan’s Alex Thien in an eight-cornered fight.
In Sri Tanjong, DAP’s Philip Yap lost to Warisan’s Justin Wong in a six-cornered fight.
Yap only managed 6,549 votes to Wong’s 9,648 votes.
As of 9pm, Pakatan’s PKR had managed to win only two of the 14 seats it contested – Melalap and Sindumin.
Amanah also failed to register any wins.
