PETALING JAYA: Political analysts told Sin Chew Daily fair treatment to the local Chinese, especially in education, is of utmost importance to the community as they feel they have been subjected to unfair treatment for decades, as voiced up by current affairs commentator Tang Ah Chai and University of Tasmania academic director of Asia Institute Professor James Chin.

The jailing of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has reignited people’s confidence in judicial integrity although the infamous Sheraton Move has frustrated many.

To Tang, voters are beginning to get suspicious of the manifestos of political parties as many of these election pledges have not been honored.

Local political researcher Wong Chin Huat, meanwhile, urges the Chinese community not to put all the eggs in the same basket as in the 2018 election.

This is to ensure there is always Chinese representation in the government, whichever alliance wins the election.

He said only a small percentage of Chinese voters have switched their support to BN out of frustration with DAP, although the majority still back the opposition.

While more than half of Chinese voters hope that PH will get to rule again, the support has slipped since the last general election due to unfulfilled election pledges and lack of visible reforms during their 22-month rule.

Outcome of the 15th general election will remain highly uncertain on a number of factors, including the anticipated poor turnout as a result of automatic voter registration, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic and political indifference pursuant to the Sheraton Move which has decimated the voters’ enthusiasm to vote.

A hung parliament is almost a certainty.

As for Chinese voters, they are much more concerned about opportunities and cost of living than their rights and privileges, as highlighted by Prof. Chin.

Many Chinese voters feel the election has not been fair because of the heavier weightage of rural and East Malaysian votes than those from heavily populated Chinese constituencies on the peninsula.

He said rural Malays are badly impacted by the pandemic and are more concerned about their livelihoods than issues of corruption. They also believe that Umno is able to deliver stability, as evidenced in the recent state elections in Johor and Melaka.