KUALA LUMPUR: To woo votes from the Chinese community, Barisan Nasional has to centre its campaigns along four crucial themes - education, healthcare, business and employment, says Soong Fui Kiun.
The Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap) trustee said many in the Chinese community want Malaysia to be competitive with neighbouring countries that are developing rapidly as a result of globalisation.
“They want quality education, quality healthcare, better business opportunities and good jobs, not just any jobs.
“With the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, these themes will be more important and Barisan should take these issues seriously because the regular people are really feeling the pain,” said Soong in a forum at the Barisan Convention in WTC KL on Wednesday (June 1).
Soong referred to a survey by Insap in 2020, which identified four groups in the Chinese community - the older group (aged 55 to 60 years old), the English-speaking group, the business group, and the young millennials consisting of Gen Z youths.
The group of older Chinese voters, said Soong, are the most loyal to Barisan and they should not be left out from any forms of campaign.
For the English-speaking group, Soong said despite comprising only 15% of the Chinese community, this group of voters will be looking at Barisan’s commitment to institutional reforms.
“The third group, which is the business people, are the ones who are really hurting due to the pandemic. So, they are persuadable,” she added.
However, for the group of younger Chinese millennials, Soong said Barisan must find a new campaign theme that can resonate with the youths.
“They (Gen Z) are trilingual. But they feel very left out from Barisan. They don’t feel Barisan.
“That is why I've said Barisan doesn’t have enough data to understand the right political messaging for them,” said Soong.
Soon, in concluding her remarks, said the Chinese community is looking for a new Malay leadership that can bring Malaysia forward as a country.
“They (the Chinese community) are looking at a new Malay leadership that can make them more competitive.
“They want reforms and changes that will make them more competitive, so our representative as Barisan is very important to them,” added Soong.
Barisan leaders and supporters are currently at WTC KL for the Barisan convention on Wednesday (June 1).
Top Barisan leaders are scheduled to deliver speeches later Wednesday.
