00:00Negeri Sembilan DAP's decision to retain most of its incumbents for the coming state election is the safest strategy to
00:08defend its seats, analysts say.
00:11Shaza Shukri said voters' familiarity with DAP's incumbent, Assemblyman, would give the party an advantage in tight contests,
00:19while Chin Yimun said DAP needed to rely on its elected representatives' clout given the current political climate.
00:27Shaza of the International Islamic University Malaysia told FMT that incumbents generally have an advantage because voters can already judge
00:35their performance.
00:37On Wednesday, DAP Secretary-General Lok Siu Fouk announced that the party would retain a majority of its incumbents,
00:44while introducing several new candidates for the upcoming polls.
00:48Shaza suggested that DAP's strong record in the state should allow it to test the waters with fresh faces,
00:55adding that voters would probably not see this as a weakness.
00:59However, she said new faces should be introduced in safer seats as part of a gradual transition.
01:07Chin from University Tunku Abdul Rahman noted that while DAP must eventually establish a succession plan
01:13and create space for younger leaders to rise, the upcoming election is not the right moment for sweeping changes.
01:20He said voters appear less convinced by the party based on social media responses
01:26and its poor performance in the Sabah state election last November,
01:30making familiar candidates the safer option.
01:33Panyu Joong, FMT.
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