Loke calls for internal harmony in govt amid low non-Malay turnout

Amid celebration from the government’s side over retaining Mahkota, DAP reminded all parties within the coalition government to maintain internal harmony and strengthen cooperation to achieve greater success in the future.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said this after noting a significant rise in non-Malay voters giving the by-election a miss.

“Despite this major victory and the strong support from all ethnic groups for the unity candidate, DAP takes serious note of the low voter turnout among non-Malay voters.

“DAP leadership will continue our efforts to provide clear explanations at the grassroots level to reassure our supporters about the agenda and direction of the government,” he said in a statement.

Earlier, BN’s Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah won the Mahkota by-election by securing 27,795 votes against Perikatan Nasional's Mohamad Haizan Jaafar - who received 7,347 votes.

There was widespread unhappiness among Chinese from before the by-election over attacks from Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over the halal certificate issue - in which the latter was seen as defending non-Malay rights.

The unhappiness was exacerbated when Johor BN deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed described Chinese voters as opportunistic and implied that a poor turnout would mean they did not want to vote for a non-Chinese.

This is the second by-election in which there was a notable drop in Chinese voter turnout after the Sungai Bakap polls.

Unity govt formula works

Extending congratulations to BN, Loke said it proves cooperation formula between BN and Pakatan Harapan under the unity government concept can unite support and strength towards achieving success in elections, particularly in mixed areas like Mahkota.

The transport minister added that the results of several previous by-elections also sent positive message and build confidence among foreign investors on the Malaysia’s political stability under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership.

‘Extraordinary win’

Meanwhile, Anwar congratulated Syed Hussien and BN for the extraordinary win.

“This huge win shows Mahkota voters are confident of the unity government and its ties with the state administration led by Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi,” he said in brief statement.

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Voter turnout nears 48pct at 4pm- EC