Mahkota polls: Mandarin proficiency gives BN candidate insight into voter needs

KLUANG: Fluency in Mandarin is seen as an added advantage for Barisan Nasional's Mahkota by-election candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah during the campaign period.

The 40-year-old businessman said studying at a Chinese vernacular school helped him learn the language at a young age.

“Knowing the languages of other communities in Malaysia can help forge closer unity among our multiracial society.

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“As I'm able to converse in Mandarin, it is a bonus as I can talk to the Chinese community in Mahkota constituency and have a proper understanding of their issues and needs," he said here on Sunday (Sept 15).

The father of two had his primary education at SJK(C) Chong Eng from 1991 to 1996.

Videos of him speaking Mandarin on the campaign trail have gone viral on social media.

On Saturday (Sept 14), MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said Syed Hussien garnered attention for his impressive command of Mandarin.

"If you only heard his voice without seeing him, you would indeed think he is Chinese," Dr Wee said in a Facebook post accompanied by a video clip showing Syed Hussien visiting his alma mater.

During his school years, his teacher gave him the Chinese name "Sai Fu Xing", meaning "Star of Fortune".

The upcoming Mahkota state by-election will be a straight contest between Barisan and Perikatan Nasional.

ALSO READ: Mahkota polls: BN candidate's fluent Mandarin garners attention, says Dr Wee

Syed Hussien, who is also Kluang Umno Youth chief, aims to retain the seat for Barisan, while Perikatan is fielding 61-year-old Mohamad Haizan, a former Johor FA footballer.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2.

According to the Election Commission (EC), the electoral roll for the by-election has 66,318 voters, consisting of 61,397 ordinary voters, 401 police personnel, 4,510 military personnel and their spouses, and 10 absentee voters abroad.

Of the total figure, Chinese voters comprise about 35%.

Early voting is scheduled for Sept 24, involving three centres with 11 stations. Polling day on Sept 28 will see 20 centres and 109 voting stations in operation.