LABIS: DAP is once again trying to link MCA with PAS to win Chinese votes, says former MCA president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Chua said the claim that “one vote for MCA is one vote for PAS” was an old political tactic aimed at frightening voters, although Barisan Nasional had no formal cooperation with the Islamist party.
“They play up the tactic by saying one vote for MCA is one vote for PAS. But we have already said that we do not have any formal cooperation with PAS,” he said.
Chua said this while campaigning for Barisan candidates Tan Chong of MCA and Tuan Haji Mohd Azahar Ibrahim of Umno on Saturday night (July 4).
Tan, the incumbent assemblyman, is defending the Bekok seat, while Mohd Azahar is contesting in Tenang.
Chua said PAS and Bersatu were part of Perikatan Nasional, adding that Umno and PAS were contesting against each other in several seats.
“In fact, there are 11 seats where Umno and PAS are fighting each other,” he said.
He said it was DAP, not MCA or Barisan, that had worked closely with PAS in the past.
“Who cooperated with PAS in the past? It has been DAP all the time,” he said.
Chua said many Chinese voters still remembered DAP’s past cooperation with PAS, including when DAP leaders told voters not to fear the Islamist party.
He claimed DAP leaders had then told Chinese voters that there was “no stealing, no robbery” and no need to fear hudud.
Chua said DAP had no other major issue to use against MCA and was relying on old political narratives.
He said DAP had used similar tactics in the 2022 general election by warning voters against supporting Barisan and Umno, but later joined Umno in the unity government after the polls.
“Now who is embracing Umno?” he asked.
Chua said DAP’s campaign this time did not appear to have the same effect as in 2022, as voters were now more aware of the party’s political stand.
He also claimed that DAP had taken Chinese support for granted after winning big in the 2022 general election.
As for caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Chua described Onn Hafiz Ghazi as a simple, friendly and humble leader who cared for all races.
“He has no hesitation to go to temples or any places. He is simple, he does not drag things for hours, and he is very punctual.
“The Chinese like all these qualities — punctuality, simplicity and being humble,” he said.
Chua said Johor’s development under Barisan was another reason voters should continue supporting the coalition.
He said the state government had shown its commitment to developing all districts and taking care of all communities.
Chua also dismissed claims that Barisan could secure former prime ministerDatuk Seri Najib Razak’s release from prison, saying the coalition had no representative on the Pardons Board.
He said Barisan should not be linked to the former prime minister’s possible release, as the matter is handled by the Pardons Board and not the Johor state government.
“The Pardons Board has nothing to do with Barisan Nasional. We do not even have one representative inside,” he said.
For the Federal Territories, the Pardons Board has five members under Article 42 of the Federal
