SHAH ALAM – Support from Chinese voters towards Pakatan Harapan (PH) especially involving those in rural areas is expected to reduce because the support may shift towards MCA candidates in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Political analyst who was a member of the Malaysian Chinese Studies Academic Studies Centre (Huayan) Dr Chin Yee Mun said based on the observations within a week of the GE15 campaign, the efforts and approach by MCA were more significant than GE14 either on social media platforms or on the field.
He said the impact of the issues brought through the campaigns gave the advantage towards BN and may turn the tides of voters towards them.
"Previously if we saw in the previous election, from the social media standpoint PH was leading. In GE15 it seems that other parties based on Chinese voters such as MCA were also in this cyber war.
"In the previous election, MCA lessened the physical ceramah but in GE15, it seems that there were many ceramah activities conducted in roadside stores, coffee shops and such.
"As a result, I think there may be a slight change in Chinese voters on how they make their choice this time.
"Maybe the issues brought up by MCA would gain the support towards BN especially in the rural areas.
"What I observed so far today is maybe the support towards PH would decrease in rural areas. The support may favour MCA slightly,” he told Sinar Harian.
He said he did not deny that all parties were seen as putting in their efforts to gain the support of voters.
However, he explained BN’s potential to gain Chinese supporters were much higher, mainly in areas that have a mix of voters.
"When MCA contest in those Parliamentary areas, the possibility for them to win may be higher because they could pull the support of Malay, Indian voters.
"When there are Chinese voters who agree to support MCA, MCA has the advantage to win,” he said.