DAP woos 'king-makers' of Bukit Bintang

Indian Malaysians make up only 11 percent of 60,051 registered voters in Bukit Bintang, but they could well decide which way the parliamentary constituency swings this time around.

Two-term incumbent and DAP veteran Fong Kui Lun is not taking the “king-makers” for granted as he prepares to defend the seat, which covers the commercial heart of Kuala Lumpur.

“I’m trying my best to win over my Indian voters. I meet them in the kampung. During ceramah (political talks), the feedback from them is proving that I have their support,” he claimed in an interview at his service centre.

The Indian community, long deemed loyal supporters of Barisan Nasional (BN), is being keenly watched around the country as to what they do with their votes. Their resentment against the BN government has exploded in unprecedented gatherings in support of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) since last November.

‘Mr Bukit Bintang’ - as Fong is known in Parliament - said his most loyal supporters are from the grassroots and that he is sure of getting the support of his ‘bosses’ - as he dubs his voters.

“Let the people decide. Our track record can speak for itself,” he said.

Asked what his biggest obstacle will be, he pointed to the influx of 6,000 postal voters into the constituency through alleged gerrymandering that has cost his party “10 percent” of the votes even before the general election on March 8.

“They can’t simply put postal voters in my constituency. We can’t let police and army personnel decide the government,” he said.

Fong, however, expressed satisfaction with the level of his service to constituents over the last eight years, although he conceded that there is growing worry over bread-and-butter issues and the rising crime-rate.

He claimed that the emergency motions he has raised on flooding have led to such outcomes as the construction of the Smart Tunnel.

‘Sticking with DAP’

Voters interviewed in Bukit Bintang said they would continue to put their trust in DAP. In 2004, there was a four-corner fight for the seat, but Fong scraped through with a bare majority of 304 votes.

Hawker Shamsul Amri Abu Bakar and his wife Suzulina Abd Rahim, who have operated a stall for almost four years, predicted a win for the opposition party.

“The Chinese are more comfortable in dealing with the DAP. Their problems get solved easily. This is unlike MCA (which) only comes here to meet the people during elections,” Shamsul said.

A taxi-driver who only wanted to be identified as Soo said people in Bukit Bintang will be smart enough to choose the best candidate.

He said voters will evaluate the politician on the basis of service and not the party represented.

“We want the government to replace the cabinet with fresh faces. Please get rid of the old ones. The government should give young candidates a chance to serve the people.” he said.

Asked to comment on MCA, he alleged that the BN component party only shows up to hand out election goodies.

“I don’t like MCA. We have been cheated many times. That Dr Lee (Chong Meng, a likely candidate), he has no discipline,” said Soo.

However, younger voters felt that a BN return to government is inevitable.