KUALA LUMPUR: The outcome of Chinese-majority seats during the recently concluded Sabah polls is a clear signal to all parties that voters are no longer willing to be "sacrificed in the name of the greater good", says Ling Tian Soon.
The MCA Youth chief said Sabah voters had shown that they wanted reliable, capable teams that could solve real problems, rather than politicians who rely on slogans or emotional appeals.
He noted that many Chinese voters do not want to be the ones asked to "take the hit" for broader political arrangements.
"People no longer blindly follow political waves. They are going back to basics – which are stability and solutions to their own problems," he said in his speech at the MCA Youth 26th Central Delegates 3rd General Assembly here on Saturday (Dec 6).
Pakatan Harapan suffered a whitewash in Chinese-majority seats in the polls, where the federal coalition lost all eight Chinese-majority seats contested.
Ling said the "Sabah for Sabahans" sentiment that dominated the campaign reflected a wider trend.
"Sabah voters used their ballots to say they want a credible, pragmatic and competent team, not just talk."
He added that the result of the polls mirrored national politics, showing that parties could no longer rely on short-term trends or personality-driven waves.
"For any party now, it is not enough to surf a mood. We have to put in long-term grassroots work.
"In the future, the key questions will be: Who is more stable? Who is more professional? Who is more efficient? Who is more moderate and inclusive?"
Ling said the lesson for all parties, including MCA, was clear and only by returning to the grassroots, communities and people's daily concerns could they regain trust and stay relevant in the changing political landscape.
Ling said MCA Youth must become a decisive voice for moderation, reason and multi-ethnic progress.
"MCA and Barisan Nasional still have space in the political landscape – but only if we dare to reform, dare to change and dare to stand up," he said.
