“They feel that we (DAP) have lost our principles and direction since we became part of the government,” Pekan Nanas rep Yeo Tung Siong told Singapore’s Straits Times.

“But they have to understand, it is not easy to change something that was in place before we took over.”

He said PH is aiming for at least 70% of Chinese votes, a drop from the 80% and more it garnered in the May 9 general election.

The Malay support is not entirely with PH either, he added, due to the recent collaboration between Umno and PAS which he said are targeting at least 40% of votes from the community.

He also listed other factors that might work against PH including the recent arrests of DAP assemblymen over alleged links to the now-defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam separatist group and what he called the opposition playing up issues of race and religion.

His remarks come days after DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said PH’s reform agenda had fallen below expectations.

On Sunday, Lim said the economic scandals inherited from the previous administration had prevented the government from immediately and fully implementing its pledges and promises.

The Tanjung Piai by-election will take place on Nov 16.