Shoring up Chinese support for Pakatan

The PKR de facto leader attended five Chinese New Year open houses in the span of 12 hours and got a warm reception.

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim made a whirlwind tour of five Chinese New Year open houses here today – and received a resounding “Yes” from the people who are ready for Pakatan Rakyat.

Hundreds of people who gathered at the Batu PKR Chinese New Year open houses gave the de facto PKR leader an enthusiastic reception.

The emcee of the event, when announcing Anwar’s arrival, threw the question to some 700 people at the SJK (C) Jinjang Selatan.

“Are you ready for Anwar?” he asked twice, and the crowd shouted “Yes”.

This was in marked contrast to the one Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak received in Penang on Sunday, where a number of people were heard responding “No” when Najib asked them whether they were ready for Barisan Nasional.

However, Anwar’s lightning visit to the open houses indicates that he is not too sure of Chinese support towards Pakatan.

In a span of 12 hours, Anwar visited Bandar Tun Razak, Sri Rampai, Wangsa Maju, Batu, Bangsar and Setiawangsa – all for Chinese New Year open houses organised by local PKR offices.

Why would Anwar spent so much time and effort wooing the Chinese when all the areas, except Setiawangsa, were already won by PKR in 2008?

Perhaps it has to do with the fact that PKR had only won once in the areas, and it could not claim to have the upper hand in the coming general election.

For example in Lembah Pantai, incumbent PKR MP Nurul Izzah, who is also Anwar’s daughter, is facing a strong challenge from the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin.

Though Nurul is a vocal MP, Raja Nong Chik’s position has given him the edge in popularity.

On the other hand, PKR did not have a strong presence in Wangsa Maju and Bandar Tun Razak. In the former, incumbent MP Wee Choo Keong had pulled out from PKR in 2010 to become an independent.

In Bandar Tun Razak, MP Khalid Ibrahim, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, has been concentrating on state affairs rather than parliamentary business.

Elsewhere in Batu, PKR’s Tian Chua was only a first-term MP elected in 2008 although he had been a prominent activist before.

Hence, Anwar’s move to visit the areas today was to reinforce Chinese support to ensure a Pakatan victory in the 13th general election which must be called by April.

Chinese voters made up 23% of the total voters in Lembah Pantai, 31% in Setiawangsa, 38% in Batu, 36% in Wangsa Maju and 39% in Bandar Tun Razak. Their support would certainly affect the outcome of the election in these areas.

Judging from the huge support for Anwar today, it appears that the anti-establishment sentiment is still running high among the Chinese community. But can the resounding “Yes” to Anwar be translated into votes for Pakatan?