State polls, a litmus test for non-Malay support?

Steven Chong was willing to drive from Seri Kembangan to Hulu Kelang one night, just to attend a ceramah featuring Selangor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Mohamed Azmin Ali.

His goal of seeing Azmin in the flesh, however, was not fulfilled as the former Selangor menteri besar, who was busy campaigning in another location, could not make it to the event.

As a voter in Selangor, Chong said he had been actively attending events and programmes by various political parties in the run-up to the state election on Aug 12.

But Chong, who works in a private factory, said he had yet to decide who to support.

"This time, I will vote based on the candidate's merit and not the party," he said, adding that the turnout of Chinese voters might not be as high as it was during the last general election as those who were working outstation might not return to cast their ballots. 

The elections looming in six states are set to test a number of issues including the support for Pakatan Harapan (PH) which has traditionally dominated the non-Malay vote.  

Such support is crucial in the west coast states of Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, which are currently under PH rule. 

PH's predecessor, Pakatan Rakyat, also enjoyed widespread support from the Chinese community at the 13th general election in 2013. 

And in the run-up to the state elections on Aug 12, PH leaders have been seen as attempting to rally the support of the non-Malays once more. 

DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng recently said that temples would be demolished if PN took over Penang, likening the federal opposition pact to the Mongols and the fate of Penang to that of ancient China. 

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh meanwhile said that voters in Selangor would only be "punishing" their children and grandchildren if they did not vote for PH. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, political observer Mak Khuin Weng said DAP might not enjoy the same level of non-Malay support at the state polls as it did at the general election due to the "lacklustre performance" of some assemblymen. 

He referred to a Facebook group called MBPJ Watch where a user had accused Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran of letting voters down. 

"During his initial term, he may have been more proactive in addressing issues and engaging with the community," Mak said. 

"However, as time went on, many residents felt that his involvement had waned, leading to unaddressed problems and lacklustre performance." 

Mak also said that PH had traditionally depended on anti-Umno and PAS sentiments. 

"This was what helped mask the non-existent service," he said, adding however that PH was now working with Umno and Barisan Nasional at the federal level. 

At the state elections this weekend, he said, the non-Malay voters might be more inclined to support youth-based party Muda. 

"They don't like PAS, so they won't vote for PN," he said, adding however that they did not like how DAP was operating in some cases.

"It's all right if Muda doesn't win. The non-Malays will give Muda enough votes to make sure that it is a threat to PH, to ensure that their support is not taken for granted."