The Malaysian Insight

PAKATAN Harapan’s “unpopular” policies, including the smoking ban and poor governance at the local level, are turning out to be the push factor that might keep Chinese voters in Rantau away from the ruling pact in Saturday’s by-election.

The Chinese voters told The Malaysian Insight that there is growing dissatisfaction with PH’s rule at both the federal and state levels since the last general election.

PH has failed to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and slow to act on complaints, especially those made at the local level, the Rantau voters said.

Among the issues they are unhappy about include the smoking ban in food outlets, changing the colour of school shoes to black, abolishing the death penalty, and other issues affecting the agriculture sector and small businesses.

Restaurant owner Wang Jia Li said she has lost a significant amount of business because of the smoking ban.

“Before the smoking ban, customers would stay longer. They would drink tea, smoke and chat at the same time, they’ll order more than a few drinks,” the 47-year-old said.

“But now that smoking is banned in places where food is served, most would just leave after a drink and this has indirectly reduced business.”

On the price of goods, she is similarly disappointed.

“After the GST was replaced by the SST, prices did not fall and I didn’t want to increase my prices and now they are talking about a tax for sugary beverages. Do you think my business is doing all right?”

She also hit out at the Education Ministry’s decision to change all school shoes to black.

“I have two school-going children who study at a school near an oil palm plantation and black shoes are bound to attract mosquitoes. What if they get dengue fever?”

Nothing has changed at the local government level in Rantau either as it remains slow to respond to complaints, she said.

“For example, something as simple as the uneven road in front of my shop. I requested the local council to resurface it from during BN’s time until now, I have not gotten a reply.

“So customers have to park at the roadside where they risk having their vehicles being hit by others,” she said.

Wang added that she does not feel the need to vote for anyone in the by-election as PH has been slow to deliver its promised reforms and Barisan Nasional in the opposition still seems to be the same.

The Rantau candidates are Mohamad Hasan (BN), Dr S. Streram (PH) and independents, R. Malar and Mohd Nor Yassin.

The Chinese comprise 18% of Rantau voters but they are a key group if Streram is to stand a chance at winning.

PH’s lacklustre performance ever since taking power has also disappointed even local grassroots of component parties.

Foo Tun Ming, a DAP grassroots member for 40 years, is also critical of the council’s slow response to complaints.

“On issues like potholes, cows dangerously crossing the roads, and rubbish issues, I have complained to the respective departments many times.

“They just keep passing the buck to other departments and they do not seem to want to solve these issues,” said Foo, 67.

The retiree conceded that the government is still inexperienced and needs more time to deliver but controversial policies such as the push to abolish the death penalty irked him.

“I oppose the scrapping of the death penalty. Is there no need for retribution after murder has been committed? In a traditional place like Rantau, people cannot accept the smoking ban and scrapping the death penalty.”

In GE14, Mohamad won the Negri Sembilan state seat without contest after an Election Commission returning officer prevented Streram from filing his nomination papers. The by-election was triggered after the election court nullified BN’s win.

Of the 20,925 voters in Rantau, Malays comprise 55.11% or 11,283, Chinese (18.8% or 3,849) and Indians (26.06% or 5,336).

Mohamad, the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar and a three-term Rantau assemblyman, is the clear front-runner.

“Mohamad is very charismatic and even though some places in Negri Sembilan is lacking in development, he helped develop the state as a whole,” Wang said.

A grocery store owner at Kuala Sawah, Chua Ying Hong, 60, said Mohamad will win easily by playing the “local vs outsider” card. Chua also said Mohamad still commands strong support among the Malays.

A retiree from Kuala Sawah, Liew Ah Chi, an MCA supporter, said Mohamad has done much for the local Chinese, from donating to temples to developing townships.

“I am not opposed to the PH government and I’m willing to give them time, but their policies must be implemented as promised.

“My own rule is simple, I will vote for whoever places Rantau first. I cannot understand huge national issues, but I am very concerned about local issues,” the 63-year-old said. – April 9, 2019.