STATE POLLS | Some Perikatan Nasional candidates have opted to offer a softer image of the coalition, one capable of administering states differently depending on their demographics.
Yesterday, acting Negeri Sembilan Gerakan chairperson Tang Jay Son, who is running for the Chinese-majority Chuah seat, declared that there will not be a gambling ban in the state should PN take power.
Tang said, unlike Kedah, Negeri Sembilan had a substantial non-Muslim population and therefore PN's policies for both states will be different.
"The Muslim population in Kedah exceeds 80 percent, so the local government takes the majority ethnic group as the main consideration when formulating state policies.
"But in Chuah, the Chinese voters exceed 57 percent. In a multiracial state, the policies must take diversity and mutual respect into consideration.
"Kedah and Terengganu have a majority-Muslim population, so the local government policies will favour the majority ethnic group, but here (Chuah) is different," he was quoted as saying by The Star.
According to Census 2020 numbers, 36.7 percent of Negeri Sembilan's population consists of non-Muslims.
Tang said Gerakan's role in PN was to provide check and balance and conceded that there are voters in his constituency who are concerned about PAS' theocratic ambitions.
"If any policies appear unfavourable to other races, we will urge our allies to rectify them and ensure a balanced approach, and we will remind PAS to govern fairly," he added.
The 49-year-old lawyer is in a straight fight against Pakatan Harapan's Yew Boon Lye, 52, a former Klang municipal council member.
Bogeyman perception
Meanwhile, PN's Rantau candidate Rozmal Malakan said there was a perception that his coalition only represented the Malays and this has to be changed.
The only way to do so is to actively engage the public, he added.
“Perhaps for those who did not accept us in the past, it was because we did not go down to the ground to communicate directly.
"'Kita dimomokkan dahulu' (we were portrayed as the bogeyman) and the Indians and Chinese could not accept us.
“And when that happened, the focus was on the Malay voters instead. This is not right, and we have to go and show ourselves,” he was reported as saying by The Star.
“I hope the other candidates from PN will go out to meet the people. They are waiting,” he added.
Rozmal is the Rembau PAS division deputy chief and a former corporate figure.
The 58-year-old is facing four-term incumbent Mohamad Hasan, who was also formerly the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar. - Mkini
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