DAP’s decision to keep most of its incumbent assemblymen for the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election is the safest approach to defending its seats, according to political analysts.
Syaza Shukri said voters’ familiarity with incumbent representatives could give the party an advantage in closely contested constituencies, while Chin Yee Mun said DAP should rely on the influence and recognition of its elected representatives under the current political climate.
Familiar faces offer an electoral advantage
Syaza, an analyst from the International Islamic University Malaysia, said incumbents generally enjoy an advantage because voters are already able to assess their performance.
“For an established party like DAP, prioritising incumbents might work better because people know them, are familiar with them, and can assess their track record,” she said.
Earlier this week, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook announced that the party would retain most of its incumbents while introducing several new candidates for the state election.
He said the candidate list was in its final stage and would be announced within the next few days, adding that an early announcement would allow candidates sufficient time to prepare and become familiar with their constituencies.
DAP has successfully defended all 11 Negeri Sembilan state seats it has contested since 2013. In the 2023 state election, the party contributed to Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional securing 31 of the state’s 36 seats to form the government.
The party is expected to defend the same 11 constituencies in the coming election.
New candidates could be introduced gradually
Syaza said DAP’s strong standing in Negeri Sembilan gives it room to test fresh faces without voters necessarily viewing the move negatively.
However, she suggested that new candidates should be fielded in safer constituencies while experienced incumbents contest more competitive seats.
“The party can consider putting new faces in winnable seats, and more experienced candidates in marginal seats. This could be a winning formula,” she said.
She added that relying too heavily on familiar figures could create the perception that the party is not renewing its leadership, although she does not believe this would significantly affect voting patterns.
“More new candidates would signal confidence in succession and thus the long-term viability of DAP in Negeri Sembilan,” she said.
Analysts caution against major changes
Chin of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman said that although DAP would eventually need to implement a succession plan and create opportunities for younger leaders, the upcoming state election is not the appropriate time for major changes.
He said public sentiment reflected on social media, together with the party’s performance in the Sabah state election last November, suggested that familiar candidates remain the safer choice.
“Under such circumstances, DAP’s decision to retain most of the incumbents sounds logical. It is not a time for change. This Negeri Sembilan state election is not the state polls to do so, it’s too risky,” he said.
