Azmin: Mahkota polls after Mid-Autumn festival may affect turnout
Zarrah Morden
Published: Sep 25, 2024 6:31 PM
MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | Perikatan Nasional by-election director Azmin Ali said polling day falling a week after the Mid-Autumn Festival could contribute to a low turnout of Chinese voters.
He said this is because those from out of town who returned to Mahkota last week might not return again to vote this Saturday (Sept 28), especially given rising living costs.
“They have to spend a bit of money for the tolls, the transportation, and whatnot,” he added.
The festival, also known as Mooncake Festival, fell on Tuesday last week (Sept 17).
“Because of that, we see with BN, the (Johor) menteri besar (Onn Hafiz Ghazi) himself is appealing (to Chinese voters).
“Looks very desperate in that sense to get the Chinese votes,” said Azmin at a press conference in Kluang, Johor, today.
Mooncakes
On Sunday, Onn Hafiz expressed hope that the Chinese community would not punish him by not voting in the Mahkota by-election.
In an interview with the local Chinese press, he said he received reports from the business community about Chinese voters in the constituency having little interest in voting due to issues at the federal level.
This was believed to refer to the halal certification spat between Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
About 35 percent of Mahkota voters are Chinese, 54 percent Malay, and eight percent Indian.
‘Faith in PN leadership’
Meanwhile, Azmin said PN has won the trust of the local Chinese business community.
On Sunday, Onn Hafiz expressed hope that the Chinese community would not punish him by not voting in the Mahkota by-election.
In an interview with the local Chinese press, he said he received reports from the business community about Chinese voters in the constituency having little interest in voting due to issues at the federal level.
This was believed to refer to the halal certification spat between Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
About 35 percent of Mahkota voters are Chinese, 54 percent Malay, and eight percent Indian.
‘Faith in PN leadership’
Meanwhile, Azmin said PN has won the trust of the local Chinese business community.
Perikatan Nasional’s Mahkota candidate Haizan Jaafar (middle)
He explained that PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin and Johor Bersatu chairperson Dr Sahruddin Jamal received a memorandum from the Kluang Chinese Chamber of Commerce today.
In it were issues the business community hoped would be brought to the federal and state governments for resolution.
“This is a good start when the people have faith in the leadership of PN and that shows we can increase support in this by-election.
“That is among the Chinese community. And we hope they can translate this support in the form of votes and give a message to Putrajaya and also Johor Bahru to act immediately to save the state economy and also the national economy,” he added.
Battle for Johor
Azmin also announced that PN aims to win all 18 polling districts in Mahkota, adding that the coalition only won four in the last election.
“Hopefully, with additional support from other states and other divisions in Johor, and with the strength that we are seeing now (with) our machinery on the ground, god willing, we should be able to secure better votes, better support, and we should be able to secure Mahkota,” he said.
He explained that PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin and Johor Bersatu chairperson Dr Sahruddin Jamal received a memorandum from the Kluang Chinese Chamber of Commerce today.
In it were issues the business community hoped would be brought to the federal and state governments for resolution.
“This is a good start when the people have faith in the leadership of PN and that shows we can increase support in this by-election.
“That is among the Chinese community. And we hope they can translate this support in the form of votes and give a message to Putrajaya and also Johor Bahru to act immediately to save the state economy and also the national economy,” he added.
Battle for Johor
Azmin also announced that PN aims to win all 18 polling districts in Mahkota, adding that the coalition only won four in the last election.
“Hopefully, with additional support from other states and other divisions in Johor, and with the strength that we are seeing now (with) our machinery on the ground, god willing, we should be able to secure better votes, better support, and we should be able to secure Mahkota,” he said.
The Bersatu supreme council member also noted the lack of a united government in Johor, saying this could reduce voter turnout further.
He claimed Pakatan Harapan parties in Johor were unhappy about not being given positions in the state administration despite having supported Umno-BN for the past two years.
“What is so special about this government for them (voters) to come out again, to travel all the way from Singapore and other states, just to give one additional vote to Umno?” he asked.
Last week, Azmin asked Onn Hafiz whether Umno would establish a coalition government in the state with Harapan if it won the Mahkota seat.
All 11 of Johor’s executive council members are from BN, appointed after the March 2022 state election and before BN teamed up with Harapan after the results of the November 2022 general election.
On Sept 28, Mahkota voters will get to choose between PN’s Haizan Jaafar or Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah as their state representative.
The by-election was called following the death of incumbent assemblyperson Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2.
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