As Chinese support dwindles, Khaled urges community back to BN fold

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 8 years ago · Published on 16 Feb 2018 1:33PM · 11 Comments

A motorcyclist riding past a billboard featuring Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin in Batu Pahat, Johor, on May 9, 2017. Khaled is calling for more Chinese representation in the government. — The Malaysian Insight file pic by Najjua Zulkefli, February 16, 2018.

THE Chinese community in Johor should return their vote to the state government, said Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin, adding that a “one race” government was dangerous for the country. 

This, he said, would ensure that the Chinese are well-represented in the administration.

Barisan Nasional is in the midst of wooing Chinese voters back to their fold after MCA, the second largest party of the ruling coalition, suffered its worst electoral results in the last national polls.

Although MCA had more than a million members in 2013, only 661,469 Chinese Malaysians voted for BN. In contrast, 2.92 million Chinese Malaysians voted for the now-defunct opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat.

In the 13th general election, MCA only managed to win two state seats in Johor, down from the 12 it held in the state after the 2008 polls.

MCA is represented in the Johor government by Pulai Sebatang assemblyman Tee Siew Kong, who is also state Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism committee chairman. Its other assemblyman is Teoh Yap Kun, who won the Paloh seat in the last general election.

“It’s very important to have Chinese representatives in the government. I don’t want a situation where there are no Chinese representatives in the government. I don’t want to see that happening in Johor,” Khaled said at the Johor Baru Tiong Hua Federation’s Chinese New Year open house in Johor Baru today. 

“But this matter must be decided by you (Chinese community). This will not happen if you don’t vote for my friends (BN).” 

Last month, the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan kicked off its “100 days before GE14” campaign with a series of ceramah, beginning in the opposition-held seat of Gelang Patah in Johor and then onwards to MCA territory as part of an offensive to take down MCA.

Khaled said the current situation showed that Malays were the dominant race in the public sector, while the Chinese were seen to be on the side of the opposition.

“Lately, we can see that Malays are in the government and not the Chinese. This is not good. The government must have Chinese representatives as well, not only one race,” he said, adding that racial balance must be sought for better governance. 

“When they (Chinese) are part of the government, it will be easier for us to understand problems affecting the Chinese community. When we look for the solutions, we will get input from the Chinese community, and this is important.”  – February 16, 2018.

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Comments

  • Dap is doing a good job representing the chinese

    Posted 8 years ago by Leslie Chan · Reply

  • The party which talks less about race, upholds policies which benefit all Malaysian, and has a good mix of all races is none but the DAP. Unfortunately, DAP suffers under a malicously slandering and regime years after years. For the new government to have good representations from all races, we do not see any party that can do better than DAP. DAP should field their candidates in all the constituencies in Johor this GE. Most Johor people admire the government of a neighbour country and hope to have one that is similar. DAP must come to Johor in full strength and ride on this admiration kept in the hearts of the people for a long time.

    Posted 8 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • To be more correct, DAP represents all races, unlike a government dominated by only UMNO.

    Posted 8 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • When you first cried wolf we believe you
    The second time you cried wolf we still have some faith left
    The third time you cried wolf, no body believe in you any longer
    The fourth time you cried wolf, nobody care anylonger

    Posted 8 years ago by Harytan456 Tan · Reply

  • Race based political parties are the bane of our existence since independence. We will never achieve harmony as long as they exist in any form.

    Posted 8 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • It is UMNO policies that make Chinese choose non-BN parties. Khalid needs not worry that there would not be Chinese in the government because the next Johore state government will be PH, not BN.

    Posted 8 years ago by Meng Kow Loh · Reply

  • Khaled, why is it dangerous not to have Chinese reps? Are you saying you won’t be fair to the Chinese, or worse are you threatening some kind of segregation? Sounds like you’re pointing a gun at their heads and asking them to vote for ABN. Not - going- to- happen. Johor is looking to Harapan government represented by all Harapan parties.

    Posted 8 years ago by Quigon Bond · Reply

  • Its so pathetic that MCA needs UNMONKEYS to ask CHINESE to vote for them...
    JUST the same as for the whores of M AI see

    Posted 8 years ago by Ramamurthi ram · Reply

  • How silly of Umno to keep on using their constant threats of racial representations in the Government. Gone are the old schools of thoughts of such communal politics as for now Malaysian wants a Malaysian PM Leader for all. Preposterous suggestions by Khalid especailly on the auspicious first day of CNY. It only irks off the Chinese and further to the disgust is the begging of support to MCA for a representation in the government. It has been an established fact that all thru' the years , the Chinese welfare has never been a priority for MCA responsibility save their own leaders pockets. The Chinese race in Malaysia as a whole except for the MCA lapping dogs had already accustomed to no representation in the Government and tasted the insidious menace of daily ridicule and bashing by the bigots and racist from Umno party. Yet you want us to support a useless running dog party like MCA who is condoning the threats against their own race and never even bother to lift a finger to admonish Umno in their practise of hegemony. Independence and developement of Malaya to Malaysia is not just a single race but a collective and concerted efforts of all races and now so called Malaysian. Can Umno call itsef and change to "United Malaysian National Organisation" instead of playing communal politics for more than 60 decades. If Umno can see that as the future to go, I believe DAP will be willing to disband and pass their baton as their long fought struggles are now taken up by Umno itself. MCA can burn in hell nobody cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 8 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • "... only 661,469 Chinese Malaysians voted for ..."

    Sorry if this is a stupid question, but how was that seemingly precise number arrived at?

    Posted 8 years ago by Angry brd · Reply

  • MCA is obsolete

    Posted 8 years ago by Peter Teng · Reply