Sg Bakap: Umno veteran blames DAP for poor Chinese voter turnout

An Umno veteran's association leader is pointing fingers at DAP for Pakatan Harapan's defeat in the Sungai Bakap by-election.

The group's secretary, Mustapha Yaakub, said that Umno had poured in considerable effort and resources to help Harapan with the election but claimed that the same could not be said for DAP.

"We received information that DAP leaders failed to engage Chinese voters effectively. Some didn't even know there was a by-election in Sungai Bakap.

"Others said they didn't want to vote without giving a reason.

"Only 47 percent of Chinese voters turned out. We don't want to blame anyone, but something is definitely wrong," Mustapha (above) said in a statement today.

PN retained the Sungai Bakap state seat with an increased majority and vote share yesterday, as lower turnout hit Harapan hard.

While about 4,500 fewer voters went to the ballot box this time around compared to the state election last year, PN’s total votes only decreased by 944.

Harapan on the other hand, had 3,648 fewer votes.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli yesterday said an early analysis showed Malay voter turnout was 70 percent, while only 47 percent Chinese and 58 percent Indian voters cast their ballots.

Cheers for defeat?

Mustapha also found it odd that dinner guests at a banquet in Selayang, Selangor cheered when DAP's Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng announced that Harapan had lost in Sungai Bakap.

"There must be something wrong. It must be remembered that DAP is PKR's long-time ally in Harapan," he said.

PN is touting its victory in Sungai Bakap as a sign that Malaysians, including non-Malays, were rejecting the Harapan-led Madani government.

In particular, it cited issues such as the government's decision to remove blanket subsidies for diesel and its alleged impact on the cost of living.

Mustapha voiced concerns that the results in Sungai Bakap would carry over and hamper Umno's chances in the upcoming Nenggiri by-election.

Hence, he said Umno must work hard to ensure victory in the Kelantan state seat.

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