KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 — A potential shakeup within Malaysia’s ruling coalition is brewing as the Democratic Action Party (DAP) prepares to reassess its role in the government, but analysts say a move by its ministers to resign from their posts wouldn’t automatically trigger a snap election. The party will deliberate on its continued participation in the federal government during its national congress in July, according to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
The discussion follows the DAP’s performance in the recent Sabah state election, which some within the party view as disappointing. This has led to calls from certain leaders for DAP ministers to potentially step down from their Cabinet positions if promised reforms aren’t delivered within a six-month timeframe. The move is largely seen as an attempt to address concerns among supporters, particularly in Peninsular Malaysia, that aligning with Barisan Nasional has diluted the party’s image as a force for change.
However, political observers emphasize that such resignations would be largely symbolic unless accompanied by a withdrawal of parliamentary support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration. The key to the government’s stability, they say, lies not in who holds ministerial portfolios, but in maintaining a majority in Parliament. This dynamic echoes a similar situation during the administration of Ismail Sabri Yaakob in 2021 and 2022, when Pakatan Harapan provided confidence-and-supply support without holding Cabinet positions.
DAP’s Balancing Act: Appeasing Supporters and Maintaining Influence
Professor of geopolitics and Fellow of the National Council of Professors, Azmi Hassan, explained that the DAP’s current posture is a strategic effort to demonstrate to its base in Peninsular Malaysia that the party still wields influence within the government. “DAP wants to show supporters in the peninsula that it can still exert pressure on the government,” he said. However, Azmi argues that the party’s leverage diminished after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reshuffled his Cabinet in December 2022, a move he characterized as a “pre-emptive strike.”
That reshuffle, as reported by Channel NewsAsia in March 2025, saw key portfolios reassigned to DAP leaders. Steven Sim was moved from the Human Resources Ministry to become Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, while Hannah Yeoh was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Federal Territories. These changes followed the resignation of Datuk Ewon Benedick ahead of the Sabah state election, and saw Datuk Seri R. Ramanan promoted to full minister, taking over the Human Resources Ministry.
“If you seek to secure support in Peninsular Malaysia, you give them important portfolios. In this case, Steven Sim and Hannah Yeoh,” Azmi said. He believes that a complete withdrawal from the government would be detrimental to the DAP, potentially handing a significant victory to its political rival, Umno.
Parliamentary Confidence: The Real Test of Stability
Principal adviser at the Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia, Oh Ei Sun, concurred that resigning from Cabinet while maintaining parliamentary support wouldn’t, in itself, lead to the government’s collapse. He drew a parallel to the confidence-and-supply arrangement during the Ismail Sabri administration. Oh also noted that Malaysia has become accustomed to a degree of political instability since 2020, with coalition governments becoming increasingly common.
“Malaysians are getting used to unstable coalition politics. Investors do not have much choice, as neighbouring developing countries are facing their own political struggles,” he said. International Islamic University Malaysia political science lecturer Syaza Shukri emphasized that the constitutional determinant of a government’s survival is parliamentary confidence, not Cabinet participation. “What determines whether a government stands or falls is confidence in the legislature, not participation in the Cabinet,” she stated.
“As long as DAP MPs continue to support the government in key votes such as budgets and confidence motions, Anwar would still command a majority.”
Potential Risks and the Path Forward
Despite the limited immediate impact of potential resignations, Syaza Shukri cautioned that such a move could still carry political consequences, creating a perception of internal fragmentation within the government. This could lead to a more defensive and constrained position for the administration. She also highlighted the precedent it could set, allowing coalition partners to distance themselves from executive responsibility while retaining legislative power, potentially complicating coalition governance in the future.
Regarding investor confidence, Syaza believes that markets would primarily focus on the government’s ability to function and complete its term. She pointed out that the situation differs from when Umno withdrew support from Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, as that withdrawal was accompanied by a loss of parliamentary backing. “This proves still risky, but the government appears capable of lasting its full term,” she said. “The bigger question is what comes next — whether DAP and Pakatan Harapan can continue working together, and with Umno.”
The next key date for the DAP is its national congress in July, where the party will formally decide on its future role within the unity government. The outcome of that congress will likely shape the political landscape in Malaysia for the foreseeable future, and will be closely watched by both supporters and rivals alike.
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