The verdict of the recent general elections is clear: the Chinese community had voted for the Barisan Nasional in droves. But is it that simplistic?

No, according to Yap Swee Seng, a human rights activist. He said blaming Chinese voters and PAS' Islamic state agenda for the Barisan Alternatif's defeat would create more misunderstanding between the Malay and Chinese communities.

"Party leaders should be more careful when analysing the election results. We cannot afford to give BN more chances to turn this into another racial issue."

KeADILan youth chief Mohd Ezam M.Nor, while regretting that the Chinese community had not been supportive of BA this time, is nevertheless not too worried.

"The Chinese is a pragmatic community," he said.

According to DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock, BN would offer minor improvements for the Chinese community in order to counter the challenge from BA, but they would not be sincere in promoting the full demands of Chinese Malaysians.

"It was just like in the early 90s when BN implemented a rather liberal policy towards the Chinese to checkmate DAP."

Nevertheless, Kerk said that the Chinese are indeed worried about the country becoming an Islamic state.

"Most people tend to think that the imposition of a Islamic tax is a move towards an Islamic state. PAS has to understand the strong protest from the non-Muslim community on kharraj ," he lamented.

PAS youth chief Mahfuz Omar explained that the kharraj idea was only a suggestion by Terengganu PAS and that a decision had yet to be made. But he believed that PAS could not ignore the Chinese votes.

"We worry that in the coming years, the Chinese would become'anak emas' because BN knows the Chinese could help determine the winner," he said.

Activist Tan Ah Chai said that the analysis by Malay opposition leaders that the Chinese had not voted for BA and that DAP had pointed an accusing finger at PAS for their defeat are both worrying signs because it could create racial sentiments that might well be exploited by BN.

He felt that many Chinese are hoping for a stronger BA, but are not yet confident enough to vote for the alternative coalition.

"They perceived that the cooperation within BA is still very unstable," he said.