DAP should prioritise urban constituencies over rural ones in the upcoming Sabah state election to avoid friction with its ally Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), analysts said.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Bilcher Bala warned that contesting seats held by GRS incumbents – many of which are in rural areas – could lead to strained Pakatan Harapan-GRS ties.
He cited a joint proposal by the Tenom branches of DAP and PKR to nominate former Tenom MP Noorita Sual for Kemabong — a seat long held by Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice-president Rubin Balang — as a potential flashpoint in the state election.
“Rubin is a well-rooted local figure, and any challenge against him may be seen as insensitive to local political dynamics,” Bilcher told FMT.
“If DAP contests against GRS incumbents, it could be perceived as a breach of cooperation and undermine unity.”
Another UMS analyst, Lee Kuok Tiung, said DAP should focus on urban areas where competition will be intense.
He noted that Rubin’s past victory as an independent showed his “strong personal influence” in Kemabong.
Rubin has represented Kemabong in the state assembly since 1994, except in the 2018 general election when he was not fielded by Barisan Nasional (BN).
He returned in the 2020 state polls as an independent candidate and won, before joining PGRS.
Last week, DAP said it had identified at least two state constituencies in Sabah’s interior where it is considering fielding candidates in the upcoming state election.
Party secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said DAP also intends to contest the Tanjung Aru seat, in line with the party’s target of contesting between eight and 10 seats in the election, Bernama reported.
Loke, who is also the transport minister, said DAP’s interest in contesting rural seats is not an experiment but based on past experience and its track record, noting that the party previously contested in Bingkor.
Rural seats and party image
Syahrudin Awang Ahmad, a researcher with Borneo Geo-Politics & Electoral Studies, said rural seats will remain difficult for DAP, pointing to its heavy defeat in Bingkor five years ago.
DAP’s Peter Saili, contesting under Warisan, lost by more than 5,000 votes to STAR’s Robert Tawik during the 2020 state election.
“Rural constituencies are dominated by local, ethnic-based parties and are less receptive to DAP’s national message,” he said, adding that the party’s weak grassroots network further limits its chances.
However, Syahrudin said DAP cannot ignore rural constituencies entirely if it hopes to strengthen its image as a multiracial party.
He suggested that DAP target rural seats held by weaker incumbents or constituencies without direct clashes with GRS.
“Focusing only on urban areas could reinforce perceptions that DAP is a Chinese urban party, limiting its long-term growth in Sabah,” he said.
