Hopes of the Chinese for PN

 

In the midst of a challenging economy, the Chinese business community, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has begun to voice dissatisfaction with the policies of the Madani government.

In a recent meeting with several business associates, most of them expressed disappointment over the current economic situation, which they believe is becoming increasingly burdensome.

One of the key issues raised is the planned increase in the minimum wage from RM1,500 to RM1,700, set to take effect in February 2025.

While the Pakatan Harapan-BN government claims this move is aimed at improving workers’ welfare, for employers, it is seen as a disaster and yet another heavy burden to bear.

“If you have 10 employees, that’s an additional RM2,000 a month. What if you have 30 employees? With rising operational costs, we don’t know how much longer we can survive,” they said.

They emphasised that without support such as subsidies or incentives, this decision risks jeopardising the survival of their businesses, which are the backbone of the nation’s economy.

Unfulfilled expectations

For the Chinese, their support for Harapan in the last general election was driven by hopes for positive change. However, they now feel that those promises remain unfulfilled.

“We voted for them because we believed they would help the economy. But now, costs are rising, taxes are increasing, and there’s no support for businesses,” they said.

Populist measures such as raising the minimum wage and increasing the price of diesel fuel, they argue, only worsen the situation without providing any solutions to support the business sector.

Another business owner added, “Our next choice might be to give Perikatan Nasional a chance, but they need to prove that they can do better than the government of the day.”

As an alternative to the current administration, PN must see this as an opportunity to demonstrate that it understands the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses.

SME entrepreneurs are not asking for empty promises but for policies that genuinely help them tackle economic challenges.

The leadership of Muhyiddin Yassin serves as an example of how a government can introduce initiatives like tax exemptions, easy financing schemes, and other programmes to ensure that small businesses continue to thrive even during a crisis like the pandemic.

However, today’s challenges are even greater, and PN needs to go beyond traditional approaches by offering fresh, more relevant strategies.

Winning over Chinese voters

Chinese voters are a key segment in the nation’s political landscape. Their support for Harapan in the past reflects their desire for tangible change. If PN hopes to win their support, its economic policies must be more inclusive and proactive.

The Chinese seek change and hope. However, their support does not come without conditions. They want to see action, not just rhetoric. Their future support will depend on how well PN addresses their needs and outperforms the shortcomings of the Anwar Ibrahim-led administration.

As businesspeople who play a crucial role in the country’s economy, the Chinese community seeks one thing - a government that understands, supports, and helps them grow.

If PN can fulfil these needs, the chance of gaining their support in the next general election is bright. However, this can only be achieved if PN is genuinely ready to listen and act. - Mkini

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MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS is Perikatan Nasional Federal Territories state secretary.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.