MCA is going into the Balakong by-election with several handicaps, given the popularity of the constituency’s late incumbent, his party, DAP, and the paucity of local issues.

Cheras Batu 11 MCA Youth chief and businessman Tan Chee Tiong is up against Serdang DAP Socialist Youth chief and Subang Jaya councillor Wong Siew Ki.

It will be the first time the Chinese-based Barisan Nasional party uses its own logo – a 14-pointed star on a blue backdrop – which is not as recognisable as the bloc’s “dacing” (weighing scales).

In another first, Pakatan Harapan will use the pact’s red logo – which supporters have likened to the Star Trek or Avengers’ arrow – in the polls.

Given its status as an opposition party, MCA will likely focus on PH’s shortcomings in its first 100 days in Putrajaya.

DAP, a partner in the PH government and MCA’s long-time rival, rode to power on a slew of promises near and dear to the Chinese community.

PH has faced problems fulfilling one of these pledges: the recognition of the United Exam Certificate (UEC) for independent Chinese secondary schools.

But, most Chinese voters, who make up 61% of the electorate, are largely satisfied with PH’s past performance in Selangor and Penang, said Southern University College General Studies Centre director Dr Phoon Wing Keong.

A recent Merdeka Centre survey on PH’s first 100 days also showed that 79% of Chinese respondents were satisfied with the new administration’s performance.

“There will definitely be some sympathy votes for DAP, as the late assemblyman (Eddie Ng Tien Chee) had a very good track record,” Phoon told The Malaysian Insight.

The by-election is necessitated by the death of second-term rep Ng in a car accident on July 20. Nomination for the polls is today, followed by 21 days of campaigning. Polling will be held on September 8.

“This by-election could be a test of working-class Chinese’s approval of the young federal government. DAP was given the finance minister post, and GST (goods and services tax) was abolished,” said Phoon.

“But, some 100-day promises remain unfulfilled. DAP leaders, like Lim Guan Eng and Teo Nie Ching, had given Chinese voters an assurance that UEC recognition wouldn’t be a problem if (PH) won Putrajaya. But now, it looks like it won’t be that easy.”

PH is fulfilling its 100-day pledges to review costly mega projects and resolve BN’s financial scandals, including 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

The coalition, however, has delayed raising minimum wage and the repayment of student loans for graduates earning less than RM4,000 a month – measures that would have benefited the working class in Balakong.

Special attachment

Phoon said Chinese voters may have a special attachment to DAP’s rocket logo – a symbol of resistance against BN’s corruption – but not MCA’s star logo.

“MCA will have to explain to both Malay and Chinese voters why the party isn’t leaving BN even though it isn’t going to use the BN logo.”

MCA’s decision to use its own logo could backfire among Malay voters, who make up a third of Balakong’s electorate. Umno supporters, in particular, could interpret the move as a betrayal of BN.

Locals from the Balakong new village told The Malaysian Insight that they are unlikely to shift their political allegiance to MCA, even with the party dropping the BN logo.

A street hawker from the village, who wanted to be known only as Tan, said DAP earned the respect of locals after it resolved their long-standing flood problems a few years ago, and the late assemblyman was well liked and attentive to public complaints.

Other villagers also expect DAP to win the by-election hands down.

Out of the 62,219 voters in the state constituency, 61% are Chinese, Malays (30%) and Indians (9%).

Before 2008, Balakong voters had favoured MCA. The party used to win the seat with majorities ranging from 877 to 4,168 votes during the three general elections between 1995 and 2004.

Balakong was part of the Serdang parliamentary seat, which was renamed Bangi for the 14th general election.

The seat fell to DAP in the 2008 political tsunami. Since then, its majority has increased steadily, from 4,795 votes in 2008 to 13,542 in 2013, and on May 9 this year, almost three times to 35,538.

In GE14, the party made a clean sweep in Balakong’s 17 polling districts.

Nine out of 10 voters in the Chinese new villages of Balakong and Sg Chua voted for PH. Even in Malay-majority areas, like Desa Baiduri, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn and Simpang Balak, more than 50% of the votes went to PH.

PH got 41,768 votes, compared with PAS (6,230) and BN (5,874).

On Thursday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang endorsed MCA’s efforts to capture the seat.

“God willing, yes, we will urge our supporters and voters in Balakong to vote for MCA. We are both in the opposition camp. We share the same spirit.”

The declaration of PAS’ support for MCA came despite the latter’s staunch opposition to the Islamist party’s bid to implement hudud and amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act in Parliament, to give the shariah court more power. – August 18, 2018.