1725 - lucky or bad omen?

	Shah A Dadameah Thursday, 29 April 2010 15:55

NOMINATION day for the Hulu Selangor by-election was April 17 and voting was on April 25.

By sheer coincidence the two dates came together when the results were announced - Barisan Nasional candidate P Kamalanathan won by a majority of 1,725 votes over PKR rival Zaid Ibrahim.

In a 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not' fashion, the two crucial dates for the parliamentary by-election had somehow indicated that the winner of the contest would lead by that many votes.

It had been a close fight right up to the finishing line between the two parties and it was only towards the end of tallying the votes that it dawned on the Barisan it had been successful in taking back the seat it lost in 2008.

As those familiar with horses know, a thoroughbred never looks at others when on the course, it just concentrates on running the fastest race it can.

To their credit, the two sides had worked equally hard through the grueling course and both were thoroughbred material but it was the younger Barisan stallion that eventually outpaced the experienced and over-confident PKR horse.

Given the Chinese penchant for punting on numbers, one wonders if there would be a rush among them to the betting shops this weekend to put their money on those four digits.

Then again, the majority of the Chinese voters in Hulu Selangor had snubbed the Barisan and now that their 'horse' had lost, they may not be in the mood to party.

Lucky or ban omen?

Anyway, the PKR flag bearer had yet to concede defeat to the political novice as Zaid intends to file an election petition to declare the Hulu Selangor results null and void.

So, we wait for the signs to show if there would be yet another by-election in the parliamentary seat.

The coincidence regarding the dates and the vote-majority was first spotted by blogger Faisal Robhan and repeated on the 'Brick In The Wall' and other blogs, which asked whether the figure 1,725 spells lucky for Kamalanathan and the Barisan or is it a bad omen of an impending nightmare for them?

To recap, the Barisan candidate – nicknamed Kamal Alan Nathan, the 1Malaysia man – had been a last-minute choice after Muhyiddin Yassin, the coalition's deputy chief and by-election director rejected earlier names submitted by Umno and the MIC.

The Barisan had actually wasted much time sorting out the names and selecting the 'right candidate' whereas the PKR had been sure from the start that it wanted Zaid, the only prominent supreme council member who has yet to be a state assemblyman, MP or senator.

And just as the Barisan camp appeared to be splitting over the issue, Muhyiddin made a bold decision to sideline veteran politician G Palanivel and to give the responsibility to 'rookie' Kamalanathan.

Palanivel, who would be sworn in as a Senator and subsequently reinstated as a deputy minister, conceded that Kamalanathan came into the race without 'excess baggage' and that he had met the Barisan's expectations of a young, non-controversial IT–savvy candidate for the by-election.

In the meantime, the PKR was bathing in the glory of street polls that repeatedly said Zaid was leading the race and likely to romp home as the winner.

However, along the way, the PKR campaign faltered when disclosures were made of his flamboyant secular lifestyles.

The PKR quickly went into 'damage control' mode but despite rebranding him as a 'Haji' and getting PAS spiritual advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat to persuade Malay voters to back the former Cabinet minister, only the Chinese electorate steadfastly stood by Zaid.

The Malay and Indian voters, in droves, gave their support to the Barisan.

Chinese voters with Zaid

The MCA, still reeling from its tense general assembly, did not perform up to expectations to woo the Chinese voters and one of the first thing that party president Dr Chua Soi Lek did after the by-election results were known was to fire a missile at Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

Chua accused the Pasir Mas MP as being the culprit behind the MCA's losses as Ibrahim had allegedly incited the Malays to hate the Chinese and had also told the Government to not give too much attention to Chinese interests.

There were also other factors that contributed to the loss of Chinese votes, according to the party's preliminary post-mortem, one of which was that Zaid had a higher profile than new face Kamalanathan.

Zaid was also considered 'liberal-minded' and a hero among young Chinese voters despite attempts to discredit the PKR candidate as a drinker and gambler.

Another factor, said Chua, was the leadership differences between former Hulu Selangor MCA chairman Ch'ng Toh Eng and the incumbent, so there could be elements of sabotage.

The third factor was the sensitive statements made by certain political leaders about the Chinese, such as they should be grateful for being given citizenship and that they were "pendatang" (immigrants).

Dr Chua said the death of Selangor political aide Teoh Beng Hock under mysterious circumstances and the Chinese community's greater awareness of national issues were among other contributing factors.

Some observers, however, feel that Chua may not be telling the whole story about the Chinese snub of the Barisan.
For instance, he said, in the areas where former party president Ong Tee Keat was leading the campaign, the Chinese voters came out to give their support.

"He turned around what used to be a 'black area' where the Barisan previously lost 600 votes but won by 17 votes in the recent by-election.

"Serendah polling area, where Ong went four times to canvass, recorded an increase of Chinese voters who voted for BN from 69 in the last general election to 626.

"This is the only Chinese area that saw an increase in Chinese voters voting for BN," he said, adding that in all other areas where MCA bigwigs campaigned, the Barisan lost heavily.

Asked his thoughts about this matter, Ong told reporters in Putrajayaon Tuesday: "What we want to know is the heart and soul of the people when they make certain decisions...there must be some reasons behind (their decisions).

"Is it because of certain misgivings, fear, founded or unfounded? I think all these need to be studied."

Asked whether MCA lost the Chinese votes because of the rift in the party, he replied: "I think he (Chua) should know better when he had his walkabout, how the people or the community received him."

One observer is worried that in rejecting the Barisan, the Chinese community risks being alienated from power.

"The Barisan can govern with the sole support of Indians and Malays, as reflected in the result of Hulu Selangor.

"If the Chinese wants to have a say in national policies, please wake up. If the Chinese do not support Barisan be prepared to lose all political influence in the new Malaysia," he said.

Caught in a time wrap

Many blogs continued to discuss the by-election and also questioned the future of Chinese vote in the the country's electoral process.

One posting said the power shift within the Chinese community has moved to the head of clans and Chinese associations, no more with political heads.

Commenting on the Barisan machinery, a positing on the 'Brick In The Wall' blog said it is caught in a time warp and has yet to understand campaigning in the new environment, even in poor Internet access Hulu Selangor.

"Central command and control does not work. Preplanning does not work.

Everything is about speed and distribution - speed of respond, speed of attack, surprises and speedy responses, and staying current.

"Party machinery was lazy, calculative and strategically near inoperable.

"Party leaders, including some ministers, were more interested in campaigning for themselves and politicking than campaigning. BN election machinery remain dependent on Government machineries and unofficial "component parties". They can't afford to continue that way."

SHAH A DADAMEAH is senior editor with the Malaysian Mirror.

Chinese group wants PM to intervene in MCA-Perkasa spat

Ibrahim had labelled the Chinese community as ungrateful after the Hulu Selangor by-election. — file pic


PUTRAJAYA, April 30 — The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) wants the prime minister to intervene and help resolve the war of words between Perkasa and MCA.

Its deputy secretary-general, Chin Yew Sin, told The Malaysian Insider that the continued conflict between MCA and the Malay right-wing group will be detrimental to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) chances in the next general election.

“The prime minister should advise everybody to stop talking about this sensitive issue. He should step in and stop the argument. He should stop this racial argument because the longer it continues, then it would be near impossible for BN to recapture the support of the Chinese community,” he said.

He criticised Perkasa for attacking other races, especially the Chinese community, after the recently concluded Hulu Selangor by-election.

“It is OK if you want to ask [for] something for your community but don’t attack other communities. I think it is not good for Perkasa to do that.

“Especially after the Hulu Selangor by-election, it was too much of them to ask the government not to give aid to the Chinese community. Who are you? You can fight for your rights but do not deny other people of their rights,” he said.

Perkasa’s chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali called the Chinese community “ungrateful” and urged the government to ignore demands made by the MCA and Gerakan as punishment for their failure to attract Chinese voters.

Chinese support for BN dipped below 30 percent when MIC’s P. Kamalanathan secured a 1,725-vote majority win over PKR’s Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, down from the 35 per cent it had garnered during Election 2008.

Chin also agreed with MCA’s assessment that “organisations like Perkasa” was the reason for BN’s failure in recapturing the community’s support, especially in last Sunday’s by-election.

“I think it is one of the reasons because all this while, the Chinese community feels that they have not been treated fairly by the government. So when some leaders start uttering strange statements, then of course it will arouse their emotions.

“I think [the reason] why the Chinese community did not vote for Barisan Nasional is because they were not happy with the statements of not only Perkasa but also government leaders,” he said.

Chin was also disappointed with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s willingness to defend Perkasa and its racial rhetoric.

The former premier yesterday told MCA to rid itself of “extremist Chinese” before demanding that Umno reject the Malay right-wing group.

“I think this is not a fair statement because in every community, there are bound to be extremists. As an elder statesman, he should try to ease the tension and not get involved in the war of words between Perkasa and MCA. He should try to stop it and not encourage it,” he said.

Moving the Chinese ground

Analysis
By JOCELINE TAN

Hot button issues and prevailing national sentiments influenced the way the Chinese voted in the Hulu Selangor by-election.

THERE was a feel-good mood in the Barisan Nasional camp on Sunday.

Winning back the Hulu Selangor seat had given the Barisan team a great psychological boost. It had been a hard-fought contest and it was also the third Barisan win in 10 by-elections.

At the same time, there was also a degree of frustration amid the upbeat mood because the Chinese vote had not moved to Barisan. Only about 20% of those in Chinese-majority areas had helped Barisan’s P. Kamalanathan to win.

“We can’t deny it. The Chinese ground has not shifted since the 2008 general election,” said Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, who heads the MCA think-tank Insap.

Things could have been worse. The reading shortly after nomination day was that up to 85% of the Chinese would support PKR’s Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

MCA leaders readily admit that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s decision to go down and make his presence felt in a number of Chinese new villages in the constituency had an effect.

“The Prime Minister put his prestige on the line. He helped stem the flood,” said Dr Fong.

Umno politicians have been asking why MCA has been unable to do its part in delivering the Chinese vote. They are puzzled that the Chinese could not be moved by the Government’s promise of a RM3mil grant for the Chinese school there.

One Umno politician had asked rather rhetorically: “What more do the Chinese want?”

“What many Umno politicians fail to understand is that many issues that upset the Chinese have more to do with Umno than with MCA,” said Sin Chew executive director Rita Sim.

For instance, Datuk Noh Omar’s foot-in-the-mouth remark that non-Malays should be grateful they were granted citizenship was appalling and ill-timed.

The Selangor Umno deputy chief quickly apologised but the damage was done. DAP went to town with it, stringing up banners of him in the Chinese new villages.

There were other current issues affecting the Chinese mood in Hulu Selangor. One is the lingering spill-over from the Barisan takeover of Perak.

“It was close to home, just next door,” said Sim.

more here

A person of your caliber with a Phd and heading INSAP still can't get the right picture . I have not heard you mention one word about a tainted MCA president . Don't you think that the Chinese are all fools , that they have no pride . How would a Chinese face the people when their party is led by a man whose dick has been exposed for all to see ?

It is prosposterous that both Fong and Sim have both not mentioned a single word about this major factor . If its not just the Chinese , then what about the 8000 MCA members that the tainted president promised that he would deliver the 8000 votes for the BN ? If you cannot deliver the 8000 votes what is there to talk about the rest of the Chinese ? It just means the 8000 MCA members have rejected you as their leader , and our Dr Fong and Sim who was once from INSAP failed to see that point . Just like way back in 308 where the Chinese and MCA members rejected Ong Ka Ting and his candidates thus providing the opposition with a tsunami .

Dr M regrets fall in Chinese support for BN

Banana Chua , please answer me , why are we losing all the Chinese votes to the opposition ? and where is the 8000 MCA votes ? Talk cock only , more like 80 votes . What shit is this ? An MCA president campaigning with three of his Ministers cannot even get 2000 votes from the MCA members ? and boasted to the whole world can get 8000 votes ? Better go to that Hotel in Batu Pahat and take a good rest there .

UPDATED

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed claimed today that race politics played a major part in the Hulu Selangor by-election, as Barisan Nasional was denied a majority win due to the lack of Chinese support.

He told reporters at a forum here on Malaysia-China relations any notion that politics would be less race-based after the 2008 general elections was a misconceived one, as purportedly seen with the fall in Chinese backing for BN despite attempts made to improve the living conditions of the Chinese community in Hulu Selangor.

“I see Datuk Seri Najib is bending backwards to appease the Chinese, in the process of course he has antagonised quite a lot of Malays.”

“So in this country although people say with results of 2008 election this country is going to be less race based politics, but race politics is now much stronger than before,” said Dr Mahathir.

The former prime minister also conceded that what he called the smear tactics of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) labelling him and BN as “racist” had some effect on BN being denied a bigger win yesterday.

Rethink aid to Chinese areas, says Perkasa

Hung pergi makan tahi lembu I-Bra him . Pergi lah perkosa lembu !

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — Malay rights group Perkasa wants the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to review election pledges made in Chinese areas in Hulu Selangor because of the community’s poor support for the coalition.

Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said despite BN’s success in winning the semi-rural seat from PKR, the Chinese voters had largely chosen to back the federal opposition.

“It is necessary for the government to delay any allocation and approval of projects for the Chinese community,” said Ibrahim in a statement responding to the by-election result.

Ibrahim added that the government should also ignore all the demands made by BN members, MCA and Gerakan, as the Chinese of Hulu Selangor had rejected the ruling coalition.

“They show no appreciation to BN government’s efforts, even though the BN government had to hurt the feelings of the Malays and the natives,” said Ibrahim.

“All their demands are fulfilled by the government but they do not know how to be grateful,” he added.

Ibrahim, an independent MP, had actively campaigned for BN during the campaign.

His Perkasa is fighting for affirmative action policies favouring Malays to be retained permanently.

In the by-election which saw BN’s P. Kamalanathan defeating former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim by 1,725 votes, the ruling coalition lost badly in Chinese dominated polling districts.

During the final campaigning days for the Hulu Selangor by-election Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised an allocation of RM3 million for a Chinese school near in new village.

The BN chairman also promised RM90,000 for the Ulu Yam Kwang Tung cemetery and more allocations for Hokkien and muhibbah associations in the area.

However the support level from the Chinese voters was reduced from about 35 per cent in Election 2008 to less than 30 per cent yesterday.

What I learned from the HS buy-election — Art Harun

APRIL 26 — Okay guys. The by-erection is over.

As many of you might notice, I am a history freak. I just love history. I don’t know why. But one thing for sure, I like to look at how people behaved or acted before so that I could learn a lesson or two from them in order to enable me to predict how people will behave in the future. I think that’s part of the reason why I love history.

I also learned that the Chinese people don’t give two hoots to the Barisan Nasional or MCA. To them, the BN or MCA can do or say what they like and they just could not care bloody less. If Pakatan Rakyat had put a chimpanzee as a candidate, the majority of the Chinese people would vote for that chimpanzee. Even if Chua Soi Lek was the challenger.

Then I learned that the Indians however are a predictable lot. They would follow whatever the Barisan Nasional say. Even if Umno rejected their own party’s preferred candidate, the Indians would still support BN. MIC had wanted Palanivel. Local Umno boys preferred Mugilan. Umno head honchos put in he-whose-name-is-truly-1Malaysia. And the Indians still supported him.

The next thing I learned is the fact that Hindraf is now more complicated and dynamic than middle-east politics. They have right winged Hindraf. Then the left. Then the right-leftist and also the left-rightist. Then they have the true Hinfraf. Also the true right, left, right-leftist as well as the leftist-right. Which makes all the other Hindraf, whether right, left, rightist-right and leftist-right untrue. Then they have the extreme right, which in other word is known as right-right Hindraf. As well as left-left Hindraf.

I don’t even know who they support. Or whom they are against. I think they should change their party’s name to HUH?DRAF instead.

This buy-erection has also taught me that Ibrahim Ali is, at the very least, mildly schizophrenic. One minute he wears an Independent MP hat. In this mode, he is an independent MP who is not aligned to anybody or any party. The next minute, he is the Perkasa leader. In this mode, he fights for the Malay rights, kiss his short Keris in public and waves it about town.

Sometime he fights for Islam, or so he says. Of course he forgets that under Islam, human beings are all equal and the only thing which differentiates people in the eyes of God is piety and how he or she adheres to His wishes.

Then he went to Hulu Selangor and campaigned for Kamalanathan, whom, the last time I checked was not a Malay. On this, Ibrahim Ali said he was in Hulu Selangor not as Perkasaleader but as an independent. Now, if he was an independent who is not aligned to anybody or any party, why was he campaigning for the Barisan Nasional’s candidate? Didn’t that make him aligned to the BN?

Apart from Ibrahim Ali, I also learned that Kamalanathan is also probably a schizo or a very forgetful boy. When Nasir Safar made some statements which he (Kamal boy) deemed racist, he shouted and screamed on his blog that “the authorities should take the strongest possible steps by charging him with sedition.”

However, during the bye-erection, he refused comment when asked about Nasir Safar. Not only that, he mentioned that Perkasa’s fights for Malay rights is a-okay by him. And this coming from an Indian, who, in the eye of Perkasa, is “second class citizen.” Classicus confuse-ious.

In the same blog entry, he also proclaimed that “I think I am more Malaysian than he is.” But when he was asked whether he is an Indian first or Malaysian first, if I remember correctly, he refused to answer. (I stand corrected on this as I am writing this purely from memory).

Be that as it may, I am really proud that YB Kamalanathan has mastered and in fact practised one of the sacred act in the Malay culture. That is the act of respecting our leaders and elderly persons by kissing his or her hand. YB, I am proud to call you a brahder Bro. And you speak Bahasa Melayu well too. Even better than Zaid Ibrahim. If we ever meet YB, I expect you to kiss my hand okay. After all I am older than you.

Hulu Selangor bai-elecsyen had also given me a peek into the Malay Muslim psyche. Alhamdulillah. And that is, alcohol is a big no no. Yea. Nope. Alcohol consumption is a sin. A very big sin. And repentance is not enough to wash you off that sin. Because alcohol consumption my friend, is drunkenly sinful.

You can plunder the country. Commit adultery with children. Commit murder. Commit breach of trust. Have sex with some sex worker from China or where ever. Marry a nice trophy wife without telling your first wife. Lie to your wife. Be a hypocrite all the way.

Yes. But drink alcohol? Wooooo, that’s sinful Bro. It is sinful unless you did it when you are in Barisan Nasional. HUaHAHaHAHAHaHa... kayu!

The next thing I learned is that Mirzan Mahathir is very clever. All the board members of San whatever parent company had wanted to diversify into some other business rather than concentrate in the business of manufacturing and selling beer (although why they would want to do so is beyond my comprehension when they earn a hell lot of pesos doing so) but they did not know how to do so or what to do.

They then brought in Mirzan to help them to diversify. Perhaps they had wanted to diversify into car manufacturing la kot. That’s why. But then again, Mirzan must have been one of the smartest diversification strategist around. Caya lu la Bro. You make me stand proud as a Malaysian.

The most important thing that I learn from the Hulu Selangor be-elektion is that the Chinese would get to see the Prime Minister and demand 3 million clams only if the Barisan wins.

Hmmm...Saiful whatever is better than the whole Chinese community in Hulu Selangor then. Why?

Because he got to see the Prime Minister in his house and there wasn’t even a buy-erection. Oh sorry, I mean, by-election, not erection.

BN wins but slips up on Chinese support

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — The Rasa Chinese primary school is RM3 million richer today from a campaign promise after Barisan Nasional (BN) won yesterday’s Hulu Selangor by-election but the ruling federal coalition is concerned that it failed to garner greater Chinese support.

BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said it might have won the seat with a 1,725-vote majority but the coalition has to improve support from the Chinese community, which again turned its back on the BN this by-election and in Election 2008.

“We have to see where we are going wrong. I will meet other component parties to discuss this matter but we are glad that the Indian votes are coming back. The Malays too have backed the BN,” he said last night after the results were announced.

“The support among the Chinese still has not improved. When we started to campaign here, the level of support was just about 12 to 15 per cent. After the Prime Minister went to the ground it improved to about 25 per cent,” he said. 25% only support from the Chinese ?

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the party needed a paradigm shift in its approach towards the Chinese community as the community was not very concerned with basic needs and amenities.

“This paradigm shift must come from MCA leaders. Apart from that Hulu Selangor also has got its own internal problems. For me and other party leaders, there is a lot of work to do.

“This is another wake-up call. If they do not know how to put aside their differences then MCA would become a political dustbin or a political dinosaur,” said the newly-elected party president.

He noted the party had to be more assertive to voice out concerns of the Chinese community.

Yen Yen , what happen to the Chinese support ?

MCA confident or rising BN support in new village

2010-04-24 18:12

HULU SELANGOR, April 24 (Bernama) -- The MCA believes that support from the Chinese voters in Hulu Selangor for the Barisan Nasional (BN) is increasing as they have responded warmly to the 1Malaysia concept and the Government Transformation Programme, said MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said the support from Chinese voters in Kampung Assam Kumbang was estimated at about 18 percent when she first started campaigning there two weeks ago but "after meeting with them many times", it has now increased to 25 percent.

There are 16,964 Chinese voters in the Hulu Selangor constituency, making up 26.3 percent of the 64,500 registered voters. read more

Something very wrong lah MCA ! even with promise of $3 million aid for the rebuilding of the Rasa Chinese School and the promised to the Chinese-majority voters in Kampung Hassan that the BN government would build 200 low-cost houses for them have not swung the Chinese votes . Something is very wrong with the present MCA leadership when in Serendah , Ong Tee Keat could swing the Chinese voters there from a previous 69 votes for BN to a 626 votes votes for BN .

Either they ( the MCA big wigs ) have not done their job or simply in view of the wide coverage given by the Chinese presses to them , THEY have been REJECTED by the Chinese Community for being a tainted President as the MCA president and Brutuses into the leadership .

So Mr Banana Chua , what's your paradigm shift that you are talking about ? simple ... You should NOT contest again next year when the Party has its Party election . The Chinese Community has REJECTED YOU unless if you want to see a repeat of 308 where even us MCA members voted to reject your candidates like we rejected Ka Ting's candidates , then do as you please next year !

Here's my update

According to my sources , BN has won by about 2000 over votes .

In the areas that DS Ong Tee Keat was responsible , the Chinese came out to give their support , turning around what was used to be a black area , losing by over 6oo votes to a win of over 17 votes .

Serendah polling area where DS Ong Tee Keat went four times to give speech in two big functions recorded an increase of Chinese voters who voted for BN from 69 in the last GE to 626 votes . This is the only Chinese area that saw an increase in Chinese voters voting for BN .

For the rest of the other areas where all the MCA big wigs were campaigning , they all lost the Chinese votes heavily .

What else is there to say ? Mr Banana Chua ?

Wooing the Chinese voters

Almost end of campaign , Banana Chua only shows his face , when everyone has already made up his mind . Better don't go , he's going to lose votes with his ham sap face around . Look at the picture below ? do you see a superstar , celebrity status welcome ? Nay ... the old man say drink this tea to keep your x*?@ stay longer and better performance !

By FOONG PEK YEE
pekyee@thestar.com.my

The Chinese vote in the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election will be crucial to the outcome. With that in mind, the MCA has been going all out to help ensure a Barisan Nasional victory.

THE ball is in your court now – that’s the message from Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to the Chinese community after almost a week of heavy campaigning in Hulu Selangor.

By now, Hulu Selangor residents perhaps are more well-versed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept and the New Economic Model (NEM) than many others, he said, before pointing out that it was just the beginning.

Dr Chua said Barisan campaigners have been explaining these policies to Chinese voters in simple and easy to understand terms.

Citing examples, he said, the Chinese have always asked for fairness and Najib had stated that the NEM would be “merit and not race-based.”

Tea break: Dr Chua being offered tea by a resident of Kampung Baru Kalumpang Friday morning. With him are Wong (left) and MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

“Isn’t this what the Chinese have been asking for all this while?,” he asked.

The forthright MCA president has told the Chinese that it is really up to them to put Najib on the path to delivering his promises.

“He cannot do it alone,” said Dr Chua.

Chinese voters comprise 26% of the 63,953 electorate and are regarded as crucial. In the last general election, PKR won by a 198-vote majority and no one has dared to predict the outcome of the race this time.

Chinese voters are perceived to be more inclined towards Pakatan Rakyat with the MCA pushing hard to win them over with just 24 hours to go before voting.

Yesterday, Najib and Dr Chua met Chinese voters from new villagers. Dr Chua said much time has also been spent to counter the many accusations and empty promises made by the Opposition.

What Chinese voters want?

2010-04-21 15:04

If BN is able to retrieve Malay and Indian votes in the coming Hulu Selangor by-election but there is no increase in Chinese votes, MCA will have to bear the greatest pressure. MCA leaders are anxious but what can be done in only a few days time?

DAP key leaders, including party adviser Lim Kit Siang and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, have been paying visits in Chinese areas. Crowds of people attended their "ceramah", just like the 8 March general elections. It is difficult for MCA's people friendly approach to withstand it.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will start joining the election campaign after his visit to the United States and Japan. The Prime Minister, accompanied by MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who will return on Thursday (22 April), is scheduled to visit four Chinese New Villages on Friday (23 April) and Saturday (24 April), hoping to fight more Chinese votes with the Prime Minister's openness image and the "1Malaysia" concept.

Although MCA has 8000 members in Hulu Selangor, the 8 March general elections has proven that even BN members were not supporting BN. Otherwise, there would not be a political tsunami. Moreover, the MCA party crisis and fresh polls have just ended. We cannot rule out the possibility that some members who are dissatisfied with those in power may take the advantage of the by-election to embarrass MCA. The strength of the Ong Tee Keat faction in Hulu-Selangor is also a question.

If the by-election votes of party members can be easily controlled like the MCA fresh polls, MCA will then have 8000 votes. But voters enjoy voting privacy and thus, no one can force them to vote for any of the candidates. How many part members have MCA found? How many people have promised to vote for BN? MCA leaders have no answer for these questions either.

Moreover, among the 17,000 Chinese voters in Hulu Selangor, 70% of them are from 13 Chinese New Villages, which have always been strong areas for the opposition.

In fact, the Hulu Selangor by-election is a test for MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Secretary-General Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and Selangor MCA Chief Datuk Donald Lim. It is also a challenge for all factions and leaders at all levels. A total of 23 leaders at all levels, including leaders from the Ong Ka Ting, Ong Tee Keat and Liow Tiong Lai's factions, have adopted 21 Chinese-dominated new villages and towns.

When the by-election results are released, the results for every polling station will be clearly stated. Who has actively canvassed, who has better approaches and who has just muddled through it will be shown by figures. No one can escape from their responsibilities.

If they reward on merit, leaders with good results will have more bargaining chips to fight for official posts while those with poor results will have no chance to enter the Cabinet.

The by-election results can show whether MCA has truly united. Or would it trigger the outbreak of another controversy? They may not be able to integrate MCA through a by-election, but cruelly, UMNO will judge MCA based on the by-election.

No matter how many Chinese votes BN can get , MCA leaders should honestly tell UMNO about the difficulties they face when trying to gain Chinese votes, and what Chinese actually want. Chinese voters do not vote based on the funding and candies distributed during the election campaign. BN needs long-term achievements and performance to build Chinese confidence.

Compared to other races, Chinese are having higher political awareness. They must understand this point first before they can win Chinese votes.

Despite being called a stooge, Kamalanathan gives Ibrahim Ali a hug

By Clara Chooi

SERENDAH, April 22 — Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election P. Kamalanathan hugged controversial Malay right-wing leader Datuk Ibrahim Ali tonight, despite attacks from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) about his alleged subservience to Umno.

Kamalanathan was seen hugging Ibrahim, known for his controversial stand in defending “Malay rights”, when the independent MP turned up at a campaign rally attended by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Ibrahim, who contested Election 2008 on a PAS ticket, is now backing Umno and has been on the stump for BN in the crucial Hulu Selangor by-election campaigning for Malay votes in the rural heartland of Selangor.

While his fiery rhetoric is a draw for conservative Malay voters, Ibrahim’s controversial rhetoric has been criticised by non-Malay leaders in BN and PR.

Kamalanathan has already drawn criticisms for bending down to kiss Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s hand during the campaign.

Racist I-bra-him (right) shares his thoughts with Supreme Racist Mahakutti at the ceramah. — Picture by Choo Choy May

The PR campaign has latched on to the kiss as an example of what they claim was evidence that he is an Umno stooge.

Earlier, Kamalanathan said he would employ a fresh strategy tomorrow as he enters the final leg of his hectic campaign trail.

The 44-year-old public relations manager, whose campaign has lately been plagued by public relations blunders, said tonight that this “new strategy” was very close to his heart.

The announcement of this new strategy comes at an opportune time for Kamalanathan in view of the increasing flak he had been receiving for allegedly being subservient to Umno.

“I will begin this (strategy) tomorrow. I cannot inform you yet what it is but what I can say is that it is something I am keeping very close to my heart,” he told reporters when attending a special ceramah featuring Dr Mahathir tonight.

Kamalanathan would not elaborate.

He declined to comment on his act of kissing Muhyiddin’s hand.

He had earlier told The Malaysian Insider that the act was one of respect for his elders and a mere depiction of Malaysian culture.

Hulu Selangor acid test for MCA, says Najib

HULU SELANGOR, April 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight said the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election is a test for not only his New Economic Model (NEM), it’s also a test for the new leadership of MCA.

Speaking at the Barisan Nasional Operation Centre located at Kuala Kubu Baharu MCA Building, Najib said it was a test whether they had the support of the Chinese community or not.

“This is a big factor for the MCA to be a credible party,” he said as he stopped at the centre during his visit to the BN operation rooms in the Hulu Selangor constituency.

Also present were Deputy MCA president and Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, and secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

The MCA, which was in crisis for the last few months, saw former health minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek winning the presidency in the recent party poll.

Najib said he wanted the BN machinery to do their level best and support the coalition’s candidate P. Kamalanathan, who is facing Datuk Zaid Ibrahim of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat in the Sunday by-election.

“I want the Chinese to join hand-in-hand with the Indians, Malays and other races to move Malaysia forward. We need them to come on board... we need the Malaysian Chinese to support us,” he added.

There are about 17,000 Chinese voters in the constituency of 64,500 voters, while MCA itself has about 8,000 members here. — Bernama

Where's the Banana Man ? How come no show when Najib is campaigning ? Aiyah you don't know he has been told to pessssssss off ...... don't come to Hulu Selangor , nanti the man with the juicy name Kam my lan nathan will get aroused seeing him .

MCA turns to Najib after Chinese shut-out

This is expected , I won't be surprised MCA got scolded for electing a tainted pornstar as the MCA Pornsident . No wonder he dared not show his face in Hulu Selangor !

HULU SELANGOR, April 20 — The battle for Chinese votes in the Hulu Selangor by-election, especially in 13 Chinese new villages in the constituency, has intensified with both BN and PKR going all out to woo the voters.

While the perception is that the opposition has the edge when it comes to Chinese votes, it has not deterred the BN component parties from organising “ceramah” (talks) nightly, apart from daily walkabouts where the reception is often hostile.

With a few more days to go before polling, BN has intensified its campaign in the Chinese areas, with prime minister and BN chairman, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, expected to visit some of the 13 Chinese new villages in Kuala Kubu Baharu, Rasa, Batang Kali, Ulu Yam, Kalumpang and Kerling.

“It’s not easy for us. Every time we enter a new village, we got scolded. Therefore, we have to improve our strategy by getting more leaders from the MCA divisions throughout the country to help us,” said a grassroots leader.

Besides organising dinners, they have also engaged the Chinese voters through what they term as “sembang petang” (evening chats) with small groups of about 15 to 20 voters in the Chinese new villages.

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said national as well as local leaders would meet them to explain the government’s policies, the 1 Malaysia spirit and the need to speed up the implementation of fairer policies by Najib.

BN’s P. Kamalanathan is facing Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Datuk Zaid Ibrahim in the Sunday by-election.

Najib (second left) may have reach out directly to Chinese community in Hulu Selangor. — file pic

“We have not received much support from the Chinese community, but with the 1 Malaysia and other policies introduced by the PM, we hope to change their feelings. There are small groups among the Chinese community who are backing the PM and we hope these groups will grow bigger by polling day,” Liow said.