PONTIAN: The Tanjung Piai MCA candidate from Barisan Nasional was defeated in the 14th General Election (GE14) last year, but the current sentiments among Chinese voters may give hope to the party.
When speaking to the New Straits Times, some Tanjung Piai voters said they were keen on having candidate Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, who was the constituency’s two-term parliamentarian from 2008 to last year, return as their representative.
One voter, who wanted to be known only as Uncle Song, said he liked Wee when the latter held the seat and described him as “approachable, generous and smart”.
But MCA’s track record and ties with BN since GE14 is a turn-off for Uncle Song. It was a sentiment — coloured by allegations of corrupt practices by the coalition — which has persisted until today.
“I like him but he is with MCA, so I am undecided. MCA is not bad, but I am not sure if I want to give my vote to the party again,” he said at a coffeeshop in Pekan Nanas here.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng
Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for the by-election, Karmaine Sardini, appears to have yet to touch base with Chinese voters.
“Last time (in GE14), I admit that I had voted for PH, but there are many uncertainties now. I don’t even know who the PH candidate is,” Uncle Song said.
Wee, 55, has also served as a Pekan Nanas assemblyman for a term from 2004 to 2008. The Tanjung Piai MCA division chief had some experience at the federal level as he was the deputy youth and sports minister from 2008 to 2010.
He was named the BN candidate after rumours circulated that some Umno leaders wanted the seat to be represented by a Malay.
Also in the running are Gerakan’s Wendy Subramaniam, Datuk Dr Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz (Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia) and independent candidates Dr Ang Chuan Lock and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghani.
On Saturday, MCA held a ceramah in Pekan Nanas, which saw at least 200 people in attendance.
Although a third of the audience were MCA members and supporters wearing the party’s t-shirts, the rest were believed to be locals, clad in round neck t-shirts and sandals.
If MCA’s plan of holding the ceramah was to gauge the support of Chinese voters, the result indicates only a modicum of interest among fence-sitters.
Most of the elderly were busy on their mobile phones at the beginning of the ceramah and only paid attention after a few speakers took to the podium.
“The ceramah, held in Mandarin, drew more people after about an hour.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who was at the event, received a warm welcome from the audience, who seemed elated about meeting a political celebrity.
When contacted, MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the party would not employ populist promises.
Instead, he said, MCA would be realistic with its agenda.
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong
“When I was in Tanjung Piai on Saturday, I met voters, including the Chinese, who said they were happy with Wee’s performance when he was a member of parliament.
“We have no reason to think we will not win because locals, especially Chinese, who used to be DAP sympathisers, are no longer happy with them.
“Besides, Umno and Pas’ Muafakat Nasional (partnership) is a progressive movement that includes all races.
“This is a positive change of mindset. The locals I met are happy with our multiracial BN,” he said.
Nevertheless, winning over the hearts and minds of younger voters could be an uphill battle for MCA.
A young Tanjung Piai voter, who is in his 20s and introduced himself as Jackson, said he was struggling to find a permanent job with good pay despite being a degree holder.
He is now a restaurant helper.
“PH is not keeping its promises, but at the same time, I remember what it was like during BN’s administration.
“BN didn’t keep its promises too and it had 61 years to do so.
“I am tired of travelling to find a job. I prefer to stay here with my family.
“But what can I do aside from working at a restaurant?”
Regardless of the uncertain sentiment for MCA, political analyst associate professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi believed the party was on a level playing field with PH.
He said MCA’s machinery must work around the clock with its grassroots members in Tanjung Piai.
Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi
“It’s time for MCA to prove it is relevant.
“If it wins, the Chinese will respect the party again and offset DAP’s influence in the political landscape.
“But if MCA loses, it will suffer a political death.
“This is its last chance before the people and Umno lose confidence in it,” he said.
On nomination day, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi appeared to have issued a reminder to MCA when asked on its chances of regaining Chinese support.
“This is the only chance to prove that the Chinese are supporting BN because what the government is doing is not favouring the Chinese.”
MCA has 12 days to change the perception of voters.
If Wee wins, the Dewan Rakyat would get to see two “Wees” in the opposition row, and Ka Siong would be less lonely in the august house.
– NST
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