The term ‘Green Wave’ has been a ubiquitous buzzword in Malaysia ever since the 15th General Election’s (GE15) results were announced. Mostly in reference to the growing support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its coalition member PAS (the term itself is in reference to the party’s green and white flag), many also associate the green wave with the rise of conservatism within Peninsular Malaysia.
With polling day for the 2023 State Elections (PRN) looming closer, it seems that PN is having mixed feelings about the term. With certain crowds, most notably Malay Muslims, the coalition gladly lauds the term and claims that the green wave will sweep over all 6 states in PRN.
Meanwhile, to non-Muslims, PN is distancing itself from the green wave, claiming that it is just a negative label created by the coalition’s detractors. As reported by Malay Mail, Selangor PN chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin even went a step further recently and called the green wave just a scare tactic being used to keep ethnic Chinese voters from supporting PN.
Of course, recent controversial statements by PN leaders don’t actually help the coalition’s lack of popularity with our country's non-Muslim community. PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is the main culprit for this, with infamous statements such as how non-Muslims will rule the country if Malays have low political awareness and that non-Bumiputera make up the bulk of ‘roots of corruption’.
Despite all this, many seem to forget that PN is not just made of Bersatu and PAS, as it is comprised of another 2 component parties too, SAPP and Gerakan. PAS’ recent debacle with the latter aside, Gerakan does bring support from the non-Muslim community to the coalition, especially from the ethnic Chinese.
In fact, the green wave moniker doesn’t hamper some Chinese Malaysians from supporting PN, with some even contesting this PRN under PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Congress. With that in mind, here are 3 Chinese Malaysians who are breaking the stereotype by choosing to support PN and PAS, as well as their reasons to do so.
Goh Gaik Meng - PN candidate for Sekinchan
A non-Bumiputera associate member of Bersatu, Goh is a former MCA Youth Central Committee Member and is given the daunting task of wrestling Sekinchan, Selangor away from incumbent Ng Suee Lim of DAP. In a recent interview with Malaysiakini, Goh was rather receptive to the green wave, saying that the Chinese Malaysian community can’t stop the ‘Malay tsunami’ as it has already been set off.
He shared,
“As an ethnic minority with only 20 to 30 per cent (population) in the country, we can’t stop this so-called Malay tsunami,”
Instead, he claimed that only with ample Chinese representatives in the government or opposition can their rights be safeguarded. Hence, that is one of the main reasons why he chose to support and represent PN.
Andrew Teow Chin Siang - PN candidate for Sungai Puyu
Contesting under the PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Congress banner in Sungai Puyu, Penang, Andrew said that he was attracted to join the Islamic party by its ‘PAS for all’ slogan. He added that PAS is not just about serving the Malay Muslim community, but it also fights to safeguard the rights of the Chinese and Indian communities.
In a Facebook post, the 39-year-old asserted that only when all the races in Malaysia live together in harmony can the country truly have a solid economic foundation. In his decision to join the PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Congress, Andrew said that doing so gives him the opportunity to bridge the gap between the Chinese community with the Malay Muslims.
However, his decision to represent PAS came with endless criticism, as Andrew shared how he has been labelled as a ‘Han Jan’ or Chinese traitor by the local community. He also rejected claims that PAS is an ‘extremist party’ touted by certain quarters and wanted to repay the party’s trust by selecting him as a candidate.
Active in charitable works with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Andrew was previously a spokesperson for Gerakan Youth and most recently a member of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) before joining PAS through its Non-Muslim Supporters Congress.
Alex Chan Foo Yew - Terengganu PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Congress Youth Chief
A vocal PAS supporter, Alex is a popular figure among the party supporters in Terengganu. While not a candidate himself, the Terengganu PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Congress Youth Chief is now actively helping out with the party’s PRN campaign in the state.
Alex is probably most well-known for his Facebook post that went viral before GE15, in which he shared why he decided to support and join PAS despite being a non-Muslim. In the post, he stressed that he has no ulterior motives and joined the party because he agrees and support the principles that PAS fights for.
He added that throughout his years in PAS, no party member has ever invited or forced him to convert to Islam. Besides that, Alex chose to support PAS because the party doesn’t have any court cases, no corruption, no stealing and no robbery.
Alex's statement was even lauded by PAS Deputy President Dato’ Sri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man who asserted,
“Chinese people help PAS because we have no corruption! Alex Chan Foo Yew, a Chinese man in Terengganu. He said that not one person from PAS forced him to convert to Islam. Alex chose PAS because he likes PAS’ principles, no court cases and no corruption. Alhamdulillah.”
So, what do you guys think of the reasons given by these 3 individuals in supporting and representing PN and PAS? Do you think that support from the non-Muslim community to the coalition will grow this PRN? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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