THERE have been social media articles and commentaries predicting a handsome victory for DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siee Fook in Chennah state sear contest during the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan (N9) state election.
The arguments in support of Loke winning the Chennah state constituency are based on the following five considerations.
Firstly, the incumbency factor might favour Loke. Loke contested and won the last state polls in the July 2023 six state elections.
Secondly, there is the fact that Loke is very respectful of the state royalty and its adat (Malay customs) laws. He has consistently warned party members to respect the royal institution.
Thirdly, it is argued that the Transport Minister has brought much development to Chennah. He is regarded as a politician who talks less but does more.
Fourthly, the demographics of the constituency with 46% Malays, Chinese (44%), Indians (2.5%) and other ethnic groups (7%) might be favourably disposed towards Loke.
Fifth and finally, it is argued that as the principal DAP leader of and a federal minister, Loke has the advantage on his side.
Editor’s Note; Loke will face a straight fight to defend the Chennah state seat which he has held since 2013 in the 16th NS state polls.
The Seremban MP will be challenged by state MCA Youth chief Siow Kong Choon who is contesting on a Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket.
DAP grassroots aggrieved
However, those supporting Loke – DAP loyalists or the bigger PH coalition – fail to recognise that political circumstances are not static but dynamic.
Conditions favourable to Loke or DAP might have existed three years ago but certainly not now.
The level of satisfaction among non-Malays, particularly the Chinese, is no longer as favourable towards DAP.
The traditional DAP supporters are aggrieved that the party has failed them in fully addressing the issue of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
DAP has also failed the Chinese community by not taking up the pig farming issue in the state of Selangor.
While other states can have modern and scientifically managed pig farms, why not Selangor?
PH promised far-reaching reforms in the larger interest of good governance but failed to implement them.
DAP leaders failed to raise the very issues on which they campaigned during the last election.
Over the last few days which I spent in N9, my gut feeling is that the political environment of support for PH and DAP does not appear to be there.
Chinese transport companies have been affected by the strict enforcement of traffic laws. Drivers, most of whom are Indians, have been unfairly disadvantaged by the strict enforcement of these laws.
While the government has a role to play in reducing accidents, the anger among transport company owners and drivers is palpable.
That anger appears to be directed at the PH government.
Many non-Malays I spoke to at restaurants expressed dissatisfaction with DAP and the PH coalition.
Yes, Loke can win the Chennah constituency provided non-Malay, particularly Chinese, support remains intact.
Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly obvious that Chinese support for DAP can no longer be taken for granted. Instead of coming out to cast their ballot papers, they might subtly boycott the N9 state polls by staying at home instead.
Malay support is also unlikely to shift towards DAP or PH while BN with the support of PAS might consolidate much of the Malay vote.
Thus, there is a possibility that Loke might not even win his favourite constituency.
Ultimately, the issue is not whether Loke is a responsible politician or whether he respects the state’s adat laws.
The real question is whether voters are convinced that he can effectively represent them in the aftermath of the election.
Let us not forget the 8-0 beating DAP took in the Sabah state election and the setback it suffered in Johor.
N9 might well reflect a similar degree of voter unhappiness with DAP and the PH coalition. – July 25, 2026
Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Eric See-To – Lim Sian See/Facebook
