GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP dismissed claims by Umno Veterans Club that party leaders failed to engage Chinese voters in the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Saturday's polls saw Perikatan Nasional retaining the state seat.
Penang DAP organising secretary H'ng Mooi Lye said Umno Veterans Club secretary-general Datuk Mustapha Yaakub's claims that DAP had failed to approach Chinese voters, resulting in Pakatan Harapan's defeat, were unacceptable.
H'ng said unity government parties had worked tirelessly and provided strong support to the PH candidate.
He said DAP leaders had campaigned throughout the campaign period.
"However, we must accept and respect voters' decision and continue to strive for change and to reassure the people, rather than making accusations and blaming any party.
"The wave of change brought by the unity government is seen as difficult to accept and has caused people to lose confidence in the government.",
H'ng said the unity government would continue to intensify efforts to defend the people's interests and implement policies for the benefit of the people.
"The unity government will redouble its efforts and listen to grassroots voices to regain people's confidence and support."
PN's Abidin Ismail obtained 14,489 votes, defeating PH's Dr Joohari Ariffin who gained 10,222 votes.
Yesterday, Mustapha had questioned the failure to persuade Chinese voters to come out to vote, but stopped short of blaming DAP.
He said: "Something is not right."
He said he had received information that DAP leaders failed to approach Chinese voters.