Sunday January 18, 2009
MCA grateful to Chinese
KUALA TERENGGANU: The MCA has expressed its gratitude to Chinese voters here for sticking with the ruling coalition in the by-election.
Party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said that despite the unfavourable results, he was grateful “the Chinese voters stayed with MCA during this difficult time”.
"I was told that Chinese support for Barisan actually increased" - Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat “In fact, I was told that Chinese support for Barisan Nasional actually increased, compared with the last general election.
“We in the MCA will not take this trust lightly.
“We are now even more determined to work harder to serve the people the way they want to be served. We can no longer think we know better,” Ong added.
The MCA chief also said: “The outcome strengthens our courage to change and accept that what we strive for the nation may not totally reflect what the people want.
“There are differences as well as common ground. We must learn and appreciate better these differences for us to shape a better tomorrow.”
Orderly display: A polling staff member arranging counted ballots at the Stadium Negeri in Kuala Terengganu Saturday. — Reuters In Kampung Cina, with 82.6% Chinese-voter majority, Barisan Nasional received 1,125 votes to PAS’ 668, majority of 457.
The majority in the March 8 general elections was 396.
The other areas with mixed composition were Pulau Kambing (Barisan, 1223, PAS, 958), Pejabat Bandaran (Barisan, 861, PAS, 681) and Paya Bunga (Barisan, 969, PAS, 759).
MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng also thanked the Chinese voters, saying the result showed that the Chinese community recognised the service of Barisan Nasional and the importance of having a good and effective people representation.
Wong said the party would study the election results so it could further improve to provide better service to the people.
State party chief and Bandar assemblyman Toh Chin Yaw said the Chinese voters’ support showed that the Chinese could not accept extreme policies by PAS.
“Although the outcome has reduced our strength and I have to take on a greater burden, I will give my best to serve the people here,” he said.
In Petaling Jaya, MCA political analyst Chua Goh Tong said the swing of Chinese votes towards Barisan was a reflection of the service they enjoyed under the Barisan state and federal government.
“We have 8,735 Chinese voters in Kuala Terengganu, and 63% to 65% of them voted for Barisan compared to 58% to 63% in March 2008,” he said.
He said the increase in Chinese support could be attributed to concern over PAS’ proposal to introduce hudud laws, and their experience under PAS rule from 1999 to 2004.
“Unfortunately, the Malay votes swung the other way. Even with a full turnout of the Chinese community, I don’t think we could have turned the result around because of the large majority this time,” he said.
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