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DESPITE the low voter turnout among Chinese and Indian communities during the recent Mahkota by-election, the MCA appeared to have more influence on Chinese voters than the DAP, said former Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy.
Traditionally, he said, Chinese voters, who form the majority of DAP supporters, would have voted for a candidate from either the DAP, PKR, or even Amanah.
"However, the nomination of Umno candidate Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah posed a significant issue.
"For more than 60 years, the DAP and Umno have been political adversaries. The current political alliance between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) has complicated matters for the DAP’s pro-Chinese supporters, leading to tension within the electorate.
"This discomfort may explain the distribution of poison-pen letters, which urged Chinese voters not to support the Umno candidate," he said.Ramaswamy, who is now the chairman of Urimai said although some DAP leaders blamed these letters on the opposition, it became apparent that the source likely originated from within DAP circles in Mahkota.
"While the Chinese community has historically rejected MCA as an ineffective party, it seemed less “treacherous” in this context than the DAP, which was seen by some as having shifted alliances in a way that betrayed the trust of Chinese voters.
"At the very least, MCA did not align itself with political parties viewed as unacceptable to the Chinese community," he said.
Voter turnout among Chinese and Indian voters in the Mahkota by-election was slightly more than one-third of registered voters.
Among Indian voters, who make up about 8% of the electorate, the MIC had little traction. Despite being a component party of BN, MIC’s influence was limited, added Ramasamy.
He claimed that the new political organisation - Urimai, had more impact, particularly due to its engagement with the Indian community in addressing socio-economic and cultural issues neglected by MIC.
"This engagement likely contributed to the low turnout among Indian voters," he said.
Another factor contributing to MCA’s traction with the Chinese community is its recent track record, he said.
He said that although MCA has lost significant support to the DAP in the past, over the last year or so, its leaders, despite not being represented in the cabinet, have been effectively raising issues important to the Chinese community.
This has slowly but steadily helped MCA rebuild trust with Chinese voters, he said.
He said the Mahkota by-election serves as a noteworthy example of an electoral contest in which MCA gained ground with the Chinese community.
"However, whether the MCA can re-establish itself as the representative of the Chinese community remains to be seen.
"Unlike the DAP, which appears beholden to those in power, the MCA seems to be charting its course in an attempt to regain the trust and support of Chinese voters.
"The results of this by-election may be sufficient for MCA leaders to be considered for a more prominent role in the Madani government," added Ramasamy. - September 30, 2024