MELAKA: Perikatan Nasional's candidate for Ayer Keroh has acknowledged that he faces an uphill task in winning over Chinese voters, as rivals go around portraying the coalition's partner, PAS, as an extremist party.
Gerakan's Datuk Seri Michael Gan Peng Lam said the allegations against PAS had stoked fear among Chinese voters in the constituency.
"But I tell them, if PAS were so racist, they would not have supported my nomination for this mixed seat. They would have picked one of their own members.
"Furthermore, I remind voters that if Barisan Nasional forms the state government after Nov 14, we will not have a representative to speak up for the community," he said in an interview on Tuesday (Nov 10).
Gan said Chinese acceptance of Perikatan remained mixed, although there were signs of growing support after he went on a blitz to explain that PAS could not simply erode the rights of any community or act in a racist manner.
"Some Chinese voters are becoming more open to the coalition, but there are still those who hold a negative perception of PAS.
"I think the support from the Chinese community is fine in some quarters, but some are still swayed by provocation from opponents," he said
Gan added that the spirit of cooperation could also be seen in other component parties giving way for him to contest in Ayer Keroh.
He said voters of various races also appeared more receptive to cooperation between Perikatan and Barisan than at the previous state election, noting that more people were approaching him with questions during his campaign rounds.
"For me, this is a positive step, and we hope it will be translated into votes," he said.
On local issues, Gan said infrastructure, cleanliness and flooding were among the main complaints raised by residents during the campaign.
He declined to make a specific promise to resolve all the problems within the first 100 days if given the mandate, saying public confidence in election pledges was waning.
"I see that people seem unconvinced by what the other candidates are promising," he said, adding that he would rather focus on action and practical solutions, as results mattered more than promises.
Gan is in a four-cornered fight against Pakatan Harapan's two-term incumbent Kerk Chee Yee of DAP, Parti Bersama Malaysia's Muhammad Muhaimin Lau Abdullah and Bersatu's Mohd Hamnaim Mohamad.
Ayer Keroh has 38,252 registered voters. According to ElectionData.MY, Chinese voters make up 46.0% of the electorate, followed by Malay voters at 44.1% and Indian voters at 8.2%.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Saturday (Nov 14) as polling day for the 16th Melaka state election.
