MELAKA: Chinese voters should make clear that their support cannot be taken for granted, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon, pointing to the recent state elections in Johor and Negri Sembilan.
The MCA secretary-general said the community should use its votes in Saturday's Melaka state election to send a message to Pakatan Harapan that it was no longer the coalition's “fixed deposit”.
He said Chinese voters had backed DAP and PKR for years in the hope of securing greater freedom, democracy and fairness following a change of government.
“This time, we really hope the Chinese community will use the vote in their hands to tell Pakatan that we are not your fixed deposit.
“It is not a case of you calling out and we will give you our votes. We have already given you so many years of support,” he said at a dinner with Chinese guilds and associations here on Tuesday (Nov 10).
Chong also questioned Pakatan's credibility in campaigning on a “Protect Melaka” message, saying the coalition had used a similar appeal in the 2021 state election to warn voters against handing the state to Barisan Nasional.
Barisan subsequently won 21 of the 28 seats, but Pakatan later joined the Melaka unity government after the 15th General Election.
“You spent so long condemning this government as corrupt and abusive, then you joined it and enjoyed being in office. So don't tell me you want to protect Melaka,” he said.
DAP withdrew from the state government in July after the state assembly passed an amendment allowing seven appointed assemblymen.
Chong acknowledged that MCA could not rely on its historical contributions to secure support in Melaka, where the party was founded, but must continue to work hard to serve the country and the people.
