Chinese voters tight-lipped on support as Melaka election nears

 Most Chinese voters interviewed by FMT said they intended to vote on Nov 14, but were less forthcoming about their choices, with some still undecided.

According to data from the statistics department, the Chinese community accounted for 21.1% of Melaka’s citizen population in 2025.

MELAKA:

Chinese voters here say they intend to cast their ballots in the Nov 14 state election, though many are reluctant to disclose whom they will back, amid concern over the community’s turnout.

Speaking to FMT, voters in Bandar Hilir and Ayer Keroh described voting as a civic duty.

Lee.

Lee, 58, a voter from Bandar Hilir, said he has purchased flight tickets to ensure his two Singapore-based children return home to cast their ballots.

“We need to remind them that it is our responsibility to vote. We need to encourage and educate them (on this),” he told FMT.

Eatery owner Chan, 59, from Ayer Keroh, shared a similar view.

“It’s the people’s responsibility. Our main obligation is to choose someone capable who can help us residents,” he said.

Concerns over Chinese voter turnout had been building in the run-up to the Johor state election in July and intensified after the results were announced.

Former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming estimated that 61% of Chinese voters cast their ballots in the July state election, compared with 75.5% of Malay voters.

He said Chinese voter turnout in Johor had fallen by about eight percentage points from the previous state election.

As a result, Pakatan Harapan (PH) secured the support of only 52.2% of eligible Chinese voters in Johor, while Barisan Nasional (BN) had the backing of 64.1% of eligible Malay voters, Ong said.

According to political analyst Bridget Welsh, voter turnout in the Negeri Sembilan state election held in August stood at 62%, three percentage points higher than in Johor.

While most of those interviewed by FMT said they intended to vote on Nov 14, many were more guarded about which candidate they would support.

Chin.

Their responses suggested, however, that a candidate’s track record and ability to address day-to-day concerns would be key factors in their decision.

For 77-year-old Chin, another voter from Bandar Hilir, the decision was less clear. He said he had previously backed PH incumbent Leng Chau Yen but had yet to make up his mind this time around.

He credited the DAP assemblyman with helping residents resolve problems in their apartment block, including faulty lifts and water leaks.

Ling, 45, a Duyong voter, was also undecided but spoke well of BN incumbent Noor Helmy Abdul Halem.

Ling.

“He’s really good. When you call him at 10am, he or his officers will show up at your door at 11am,” he said.

Khoo, 88, of Ujong Pasir, appeared more settled in his choice. He said his family and neighbours had traditionally supported PH and praised Leng’s attention to the needs of elderly residents.

“She has been quite good and has taken good care of the elderly. I would give her 80 to 85 marks,” he said.

Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the reluctance to disclose voting preferences could reflect a mixture of dissatisfaction with parties and uncertainty over individual candidates.

He said some voters, disenchanted with DAP, might choose not to vote because they were unwilling to support MCA, which is cooperating politically with PAS. Others, however, might feel free to switch their support.

He also noted that voters could favour a particular candidate but dislike the party they represent, making their choices less straightforward.

“As they are not sure which side may become government, they choose not to reveal their choice,” he said. - FMT