PETALING JAYA: Every Chinese voter should exercise his right to vote in the election, including state and general election, says Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia, also known as Huazong.

“We should vote to reflect our stand and inform the government our expectations, support of dissatisfaction,” he said.

Chinese make up 23% of the population in Malaysia, and the one-man-one-vote democracy does not favor the minority, he said.

“We should make full use of the 23% to create the greatest impact possible instead of giving up or practicing self-marginalization,” said Goh.

If Chinese Malaysians opt to skip voting, it is most unfortunate and will be a setback for democracy, which is the worst scenario.

“One is deemed to have given up his right by not voting in the election. How are we going to talk about fighting for our rights or the community if we don’t vote?

“We support a good policy and rectify the bad ones so that the country can move on and be even better.”

Judging from the current scenario, Goh said Chinese Malaysians’ attitude towards the upcoming state elections mainly is lukewarm because the polling day, which falls on August 12, is still some time away.

Another reason is that most Chinese voters have made up their minds on which candidates or political parties to support, and attending political talks is therefore no longer necessary, he explained.

“After going through two rounds of general elections and change of power in the states, voters are getting politically more matured,” he said.

The third reason is that some senior citizens are shunning away from political gatherings after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Goh said the Chinese are slow in warming up.

While the Chinese may appear indifferent towards ceramahs or political events, they may not be so when it comes to casting their votes.

“I can understand the scenario in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu where no Chinese election candidates are being fielded in the state elections.

“Chinese voters in these states are small in numbers and they may be cold towards the state elections,” he explained.

But the situation in Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan is different.

“I believe voter turnout in these three states will be quite high, and may be even higher than in the last general election or previous state elections,” he said.