Disinterest in national issues, yet surprise not discounted

“Our votes are secret, so if people say they vote for Barisan, don’t just believe it. How would we know, in their hearts, who they would choose? Don’t say everyone here votes BN. In this area, both sides have put up their flags,” she said.

Written by Chua Sue-Ann, The Edge

In the lead-up to the Bagan Pinang by-election, national drama appears to disinterest estate residents who are more concerned with everyday issues and the continuity they believe Barisan Nasional (BN) brings. Yet, there remains room for a surprise.

Issues such as the death of political secretary Teoh Beng Hock, the death of car theft suspect A Kugan in police detention, the Shah Alam “cow head” protest against a Hindu temple’s relocation and educational opportunities were expected to make their way to the non-Malay voter base in this state constituency.

But residents at Taman Sungai Ujong near Sua Betong said their thoughts were on relevant local issues instead.

The estate workers’ residential area is a modest one, with fewer than 10 rows of single-storey houses mostly facing a football field and a shop run by a Chinese family.

According to residents, there are some 14 Indian, four Malay and two Chinese families who live in this quiet area with foreign workers.

P Youtheyaaroy, a member of the Indian Progressive Front (IPF), said BN remained the preferred choice of local voters, particularly the older ones. “My family has lived here for generations. The old folks all like BN. The younger ones are a different story,” he said.

Asked if PAS was accepted by voters, Youtheyaaroy reiterated that voters were familiar with BN and its candidate Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, who was formerly Negri Sembilan’s menteri besar.

Asked if Isa’s previous money politics record was a problem, Youtheyaaroy said: “About corruption, I don’t know. These are higher level problems. We choose who can help us.”

The 42-year-old driver said national issues did not factor much for him but cultural and religious issues, particularly with regard to Hindu temples, were important.

According to Youtheyaaroy, the issues close to the local community’s heart were estate workers’ salary, public transport services and basic amenities.

Youtheyaaroy also ticked off MIC’s campaigning style, pointing out that PAS, BN and Gerakan came door-to-door in the area while MIC campaign workers only stuck to the party’s tent set up in the area.

“MIC came here and sat under a tent. Have some respect. My house has eight votes. Do you want to look for me or do you want me to look for you?” he said.

Youtheyaaroy’s main grouses appeared to be with MIC and its chief Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, who has been largely blamed for the state of the Indian community.

“I don’t criticise BN but I don’t like MIC. MIC’s leadership must change. Replace all the old faces with young ones,” he said.

A former estate worker, T Muniandy, who has lived in the area for more than 10 years, echoed similar sentiments.

“In Malaysia, we must vote for Barisan (Nasional). We have voted for them for a long time. We help vote them, Barisan helps us in return,” Muniandy said.

Asked to elaborate, Muniandy noted that his two children were still in school and that he needed medical treatment and social security (Socso).

Muniandy, who is now unemployed, appeared hesitant when asked about PAS, saying the party would face a difficult time because local residents had not gotten to know the party.

“PAS came and said please vote for us. But you know, I just say okay, okay but must vote Barisan,” he added.

PAS candidate Zulkefly Mohamad Omar faces Isa, who is a local figure, in the Bagan Pinang by-election.
When asked, Muniandy said issues such as the death of Kugan in police custody as well as Hindu temple demolition did not resonate in the rural estate town.

“Those issues are too far away, those are town issues. Not here,” he said.

In contrast, a Malay resident, who declined to be named, cautioned against overestimating the strength of BN in the area.

“Our votes are secret, so if people say they vote for Barisan, don’t just believe it. How would we know, in their hearts, who they would choose? Don’t say everyone here votes BN. In this area, both sides have put up their flags,” she said.

She said both PAS and BN had their respective strengths and weaknesses, adding: “Let’s see who we like. It doesn’t matter who the candidate is.”

The 50-year-old housewife also pointed out that national issues were not discussed by the community here as they were considered far removed from local issues.

Several of the residents met yesterday, however, eagerly spoke about a recent armed robbery in the housing area, which they say had never happened in the area.

Bagan Pinang has 13,664 voters of whom 8,577 or 62.77% are Malays, 2,834 (20.74%) Indians, 1,498 (10.96%) Chinese, and 755 (5.54%) of other ethnic groups.

The beach-side constituency is an Umno stronghold.