SEREMBAN: Rising living costs are increasingly influencing the political landscape, with public sentiment shifting noticeably due to recent developments, says MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
He said that higher electricity and water tariffs, coupled with the reduction in the subsidised RON95 petrol quota from 300 litres to 200 litres a month, have pushed up logistics and transportation costs, which are ultimately borne by consumers.
“If you go around, you can really feel it. Ordinary people are suffering,” he said in an interview recently.
Chong said business owners were also increasingly frustrated by the implementation of e-invoicing and the expanded Sales and Service Tax, arguing that these issues had prompted some Chinese voters to reconsider their support for Pakatan Harapan.
“Maybe not substantially, but enough to shift the political landscape,” he said.
Chong also claimed that many Malaysians were disappointed by Pakatan’s failure to fulfil key election promises, including institutional reforms, anti-corruption measures and recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate.
Water tariffs in Negri Sembilan were revised on Aug 1 last year, under a nationwide restructuring exercise, affecting more than 490,000 consumer accounts.
Electricity tariffs were also restructured from July last year, with the average base tariff increasing to 45.40sen per kWh from 39.95sen.
However, the Energy Commission said households using 1,000kWh or less a month would not be affected.
Chong said MCA hopes to play a role in the next Barisan Nasional-led state government if the coalition wins the Aug 1 polls, with its priorities centred on attracting investments and creating jobs.
He pointed to the Malaysia Vision Valley development corridor, together with the state’s strategic location bordering Selangor and close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, as key advantages.
“Negri Sembilan has all the advantages in terms of location, logistics and transportation,” he said.
Chong also credited former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s administration from 2004 to 2018 with attracting major investments, including Coca-Cola.
“I think Barisan is a government that plans well and has proven it can deliver,” he said.
He believes growing public dissatisfaction has given MCA its best opportunity in years to return to the Negri Sembilan state assembly.
Chong said the election was ultimately about choosing a state government capable of delivering sound policies, ensuring political stability, driving economic growth and safeguarding the people’s welfare.
He also criticised DAP for using the fear of PAS to win votes, despite the two parties having been allies for three general elections.
“There is no such thing as a green wave here, and there is no such thing as PAS taking over the government,” he said.
