A difficult task lies ahead for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming Sibu parliamentary by-election as they'll have to go all out to win the hearts of local Chinese folks.
Based on the recently concluded Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election, political analysts predict a huge bulk of the Chinese voters — who make up about two-thirds of the electorate in Sibu — could vote against BN.
So, BN candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew will have to work hard to woo them, said Prof Mohd Agus Yussof of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) — who foresees it won't be smoothsailing for the BN in Sibu.
“I expect a tough fight in Sibu. It’s not going to be easy for the BN because the Chinese are likely to show support for the Opposition, just like in Hulu Selangor.”
Although the Sibu seat has been under the BN for many years – the last time Sibu voted for a different party was in 1982, when DAP’s Ling Sie Ming captured the seat from Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) – Mohd Agus told The Malay Mail it was not something for BN to take for granted.
“Over the years, DAP has made inroads in Sibu and have endeared themselves to the Chinese voters. Now, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have shown some solidarity when they agreed to send just one representative to contest.
"The PR coalition too has been somewhat strengthened with the inclusion of Sarawak National Party (SNAP). So, it's no easy fight for the BN in Sibu.”
Political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) shared the opinion that more Chinese votes will go against the BN, based on previous results.
“It’s already proven in the previous elections, both the 2006 Sarawak State election and 2008 general election, that Chinese voters in urban seats like Kuching and Sibu voted against the BN.
“Because the Chinese are the majority here, BN will really need their votes to win this seat.”
He said it was still possible for BN to attract the Chinese and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s visit to Sibu yesterday was a step in the right direction.
“The PM, the Chief Minister and the ministers from the Federal and State cabinets should go down to the ground to meet the people and do walkabouts. This is what BN did in Hulu Selangor and I believe it was the key factor towards their eventual victory.”
Jeniri also warned: “BN should refrain from making excessive pledges and promises. The Chinese are not the type to be easily influenced or swayed.”
Still, he felt the majority of the remaining one-third of Sibu voters as being a “safe deposit” for BN, as the Dayaks (16.3 per cent) and the Malay/Melanaus (16.2 per cent) are expected to continue their tradition of being BN’s vote bank.
Prof James Chin of Monash University felt the Foochow clan factor makes the Chinese vote unpredictable in Sibu.
“The Foochows are typically parochial," said Chin.
"For example, the Foochows – especially the old ladies at the market – could think DAP’s candidate Wong Ho Leng, who is also the Bukit Assek State assemblyman, is greedy to try for Parliament.
“They might think if Wong Ho Leng wins, he will have no time to look after their drainage problems as he will be busy flying to KL all the time.
“So, they could instead vote for the BN candidate." The Sibu by-election was triggered by the death of its MP - Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew.
BN have announced Lau’s nephew and namesake Robert Lau Hui Yew as their candidate.
Nomination day is May 8 while polling is on May 16.
