Kerdau Chinese unaware of alleged BN 'threats'

Kerdau’s Chinese voters says that they are unaware of, and unfazed by rumours of BN’s alleged threats over land title issues if they do not vote for the ruling coalition

The opposition had claimed that voters in the constituency had been approached by BN party workers and told to vote for the Umno candidate or face problems getting titles to their properties.

Residents of the Chinese new village in Kerdau town, where most of the roughly 450 Chinese voters live, were none the wiser when asked if they had been threatened or had heard such rumours.

An elderly voter who identified himself as Koh, said he had not heard of the rumours but added that he isn’t bothered even if it were true.

“I don’t care if the state government gives me a land title or not,” the retiree, in his 60s, nonchalantly said.

Another retiree in the area agreed with Koh, though he was a little more forth-coming about the issue.

“I don’t care about renewal of land titles. It doesn’t matter if I have a title or not, I’ve been living here for over 50 years.

“These kinds of promises from the government come every time there is an election. I’ve heard this in every election, but nothing changes... I’ve lost all feeling already,” said the man known as Tan.

A housewife in her 40s, who chose to remain anonymous, also denied hearing about the rumours and was taken aback by the news.

“If the rumours are true, then I would feel pressured when it comes to voting... I believe I should vote for what I want,” she said.

An elderly woman in her 60s however was infuriated when asked, angrily denying that BN is capable of such threats.

“It’s impossible for BN to say such things. Someone is trying to sabotage BN,” she said, storming off.

The Chinese voter base is not considered a critical factor in this contest, but that has not stopped DAP and MCA ( above ) from sparring to prove which has the greater Chinese support.