‘CM policies will win many Chinese votes’
KUCHING: The reformative policies of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will win back substantial Chinese votes and reduce the majority of the opposition in Chinese-majority areas in the upcoming state election.
Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board vicechairman Richard Wee said since Adenan took over the helm of the state, he (Adenan) had done what the Chinese community had requested for many decades.
“Whatever he (Adenan) announced or did were what the Chinese community had wanted all these years. This shows he listens to the Chinese community and tries to be fair to us.
“His people-centric policies show he is indeed the chief minister for all, that he is a true chief minister of the people,” Wee, who is also Kuching Chung Hua Middle Schools No 1, 3 and 4 Management Committee chairman told thesundaypost yesterday.
He was confident that Adenan's policies would help win back substantial Chinese votes although he was doubtful it would be a full swing for the Chinese community.
“I am not sure if BN can wrest back all the Chinese-majority seats held by the opposition but I am sure the majority of the opposition in each constituency will be greatly reduced.
“But if there is a major reduction in the majority of the opposition candidates, it should be recognised as a sign that the swing to BN is happening.”
One of the reasons according to Wee was that his (Adenan) policies had yet to take full effect and the other reason was the disunity prevailing among the Chinese.
He said if the Chinese-based party (Sarawak United People's Party) had not split, there would be a higher chance that BN would turn things around in Chinese-majority seats.
The other factor he believed that held back the Chinese support for BN was the relationships between the state BN and national BN whereby BN Peninsular Malaysian leaders had made some statements that hurt the feeling the Chinese community with no BN leaders willing to stand up to condone the extremists' views.
“While we respect the chief minister's effort in trying to do something different, unfortunately, there are some people who would try to use the Peninsular Malaysia issues to undermine the good work of our chief minister.”
Wee hoped Sarawakian Chinese would support Adenan to show a swing towards BN this election.
"We would like to use the state election results to show Peninsular Malaysia the kind of leaders and policies we want. We can influence Peninsular Malaysia politics and policies this way.”
Meanwhile, Kuching Division Taxi Association chairman Chong Foo Seng said the Chinese community all this while was not supportive of BN government because they felt ‘unimportant' and thus were ‘neglected'.
"It is hard for the Chinese community to trust BN because we have not been given fair treatment. Furthermore, the Peninsular Malaysia leaders keep playing up racial issues, leading to the Chinese community losing confidence in BN."
However, after Adenan took over the government, things had changed.
“Yes, Adenan's policies such as the acceptance of Unified Examination Certificate have been fair. However, since he is in power for only a little while, his policies have yet to take effect.
“Still, in the coming election, I believe about 30 per cent of Chinese voters will return to vote for BN Chinese candidates,” said Chong.
Whatever he (Adenan) announced or did were what the Chinese community had wanted all these years. This shows he listens to the Chinese community and tries to be fair to us. — Richard Wee, Sarawak United Associated of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board vice-chairman