CHINESE voters decided to sit out the Sungai Bakap by-election as it was not crucial to the political future of Penang.
Political analyst Prof Datuk Sivamurugan Pandian said this conclusion was based on feedback on the recent by-election.
Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Abidin Ismail won with an increased majority of 4,267 against Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Joohari Ariffin, compared to his predecessor Nor Zamri Latiff, who had won the seat with a majority of 1,563.
Nor Zamri died two months ago due to an inflammation of the stomach, paving the way for the by-election.
“I am sure that when the next general election comes, they (Chinese voters) will return to the ruling PH national unity coalition. The Chinese were just their usual self-strategic voters, who wanted the best for their state and community,” said Sivamurugan.
The outcome in Sungai Bakap would not change the situation in Penang, with PH still commanding a two-thirds majority with 29 seats and PN having 11.
He said the low Chinese turnout was also driven by the rationalisation of the diesel subsidy, living costs and the failure of the state to meet promises such as a consistent piped water supply.
As for Indian voters, Sivamurugan concluded that a small percentage of the community did vote for PN but a high number also boycotted the by-election perhaps due to the notion that they were sidelined by PH.
On Saturday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow admitted that the Chinese voter turnout was at an estimated 49%, a 13% drop from the last election, while there was no change in the Indian turnout.
A total of 24,711 votes were cast, out of an electorate of 39,279, with a turnout of 63.5% – slightly higher than the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election in Selangor, which logged 61%.
Talk that PH was expected to lose the by-election was prevalent early on, as political rallies and personal touch campaigning yielded poor responses.
A study by a local institution of higher learning also revealed a similar outcome about 10 days ago, but PH soldiered on, hoping that the fence-sitters, who are usually the outstation voters, would make a difference.
They did not, especially the young, who were believed to be solidly behind PN.
Meanwhile, PKR's former Balik Pulau MP Yusmadi Yusoff said that reforms or changes are inevitable in this age of stiff challenges from the global economy to climate change.
But though PKR is a party driven by reforms, there is a need to do it smarter and be more conscious of the feelings of the masses, said Yusmadi, alluding to the ill-fated timing of announcements such as the withdrawal of the blanket subsidy on diesel.
Change can only happen and be sustainable if it is accepted by the power of the masses rather than minorities only, said Yusmadi.
He said that PH needs to learn from this bitter episode and become smarter in dealing with the expectations of the masses. – July 9, 2024.
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