Former DAP leader Ronnie Liu believes support from Chinese voters for the party has weakened, with voters becoming less likely to automatically back DAP candidates in elections.
The former Selangor DAP executive councillor said Barisan Nasional’s (BN) strong performance in the Johor state election was partly influenced by a decline in Chinese support for Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said voters had shifted their focus towards practical issues, including local development and policies that directly affect their daily lives, rather than political criticism or online campaigns.
“Moderate Chinese voters no longer support DAP automatically,” he said in a Facebook post.
Liu said Chinese-majority areas that previously provided strong backing for DAP are now seeing voters assess candidates based on their service to the community, as well as their proposed solutions for local concerns.
He added that Chinese support in mixed constituencies became a key factor in the election outcome, which saw DAP lose four of the 10 seats it previously held.
Liu also claimed that several issues, including the ban on pig farming in Selangor and the partial recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), had affected PH’s performance during the Johor polls.
He said voters were increasingly focused on government policies, economic challenges and the rising cost of living, rather than political narratives alone.
“Previously, PH gained support by highlighting weaknesses in the system, but ongoing cost-of-living pressures and unfulfilled reform promises have affected public confidence,” he said.
Liu noted that BN continued to benefit from its established grassroots network, particularly in rural communities and Chinese new villages, supported by strong election machinery.
He also attributed BN’s success to the popularity and administrative record of Johor caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
According to Liu, state elections held separately from national polls often see voters placing greater emphasis on state governance, including infrastructure development, Johor-Singapore economic links and welfare initiatives.
He said Onn Hafiz had gained support across different communities due to what he described as a stable administration, contributing to BN’s victory in Johor.
