Ong Ka Ting's Attempt To Explain Away Chinese Vote Swing In Ijok

OKT's explanation is reported in the NST today.

1) The swing of some Chinese votes to the opposition in the recent Ijok by-election was due to unhappiness with the service of the previous assemblyman as well as several sensitive national issues, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said. He said the Chinese voters in the constituency had complained that they were unhappy with the service rendered by the Barisan Nasional.

(If this be the real cause, then all is lost for the BN in the next elections in constituencies where chinamen comprise a substantial number of voters. How many areas under BN state assemblymen or members of parliament other than those from MCA and Gerakan are well serviced to the contentment of the Chinese? Such dissatisfaction is common everywhere but how often do voters turn tail?)

2) "There were also some rumblings on national issues," he said. Elaborating on what he meant by "rumblings on national issues", Ong said some voters had expressed unhappiness over statements made by "some leaders" which they considered hurtful. "We got this feedback although we had explained that the implementation of policies is based on collective decision-making with a multiracial perspective and not on certain statements by individuals. "However, they did not accept our explanation," he said without elaborating on the statements.

(If the Chinese in Ijok felt so strongly about it, then I'm sure their country cousins in other places too would have concurred and swung their votes to the opposition in earlier by-elections. But that didn't happen in Machap did it? Perhaps if a non-Chinese had stood there for the BN they would have defected to the opposition without any qualms to protest their 'hurt feelings'. At the end of the day it still comes down to race in the pitiful state of politics prevailing in Malaysia.)

But I must commend Ong Ka Ting for openly accepting that the Chinese had not heeded the MCA this time around when he said that he did not deny that there was increased Chinese support for the opposition compared with the previous election. "There is a sign of some swing in Chinese votes from the BN to the opposition. This is something we cannot deny. Compared with the 2004 general election, there is some change of mood. To what extent, we can’t draw the percentage yet," he added. His statement, "we will work hard and go down to the ground to get their feedback," speaks well of his positive attitude and determination.

In my opinion, of all the component political parties in the BN, the MCA is by far the most efficient and effective in servicing the residents in their constituencies.
The others including Umno and MIC should learn and emulate them. We need more Michael Chongs in the Barisan Nasional.
Image - Source