Stop pointing fingers: DAP denies failing to engage Chinese voters for Sg Bakap polls

PETALING JAYA: It is untrue that DAP failed to engage Chinese voters during campaigns and the finger-pointing must stop over Pakatan Harapan’s defeat in the Sungai Bakap by-election, says Penang DAP organising secretary Jason H’ng Mooi Lye.

H’ng, who is also Jawi assemblyman, said all Pakatan Harapan component parties had played their role in the by-election and DAP had worked relentlessly throughout the campaigning period.

“Accusations by Umno veteran secretary Mustapha Yaakub that DAP failed to engage Chinese voters, causing the defeat of Pakatan in the by-election, are unacceptable.

“All Pakatan component parties have worked hard and supported the Pakatan campaign and many DAP leaders were in Sungai Bakap to help during the entire campaign,” said H’ng, who is also the Penang local government, town, and country planning committee chairman.

H’ng also said that all parties must accept the defeat in the Sungai Bakap by-election and work towards improvements.

“Don’t make accusations and play the blame game,” H’ng said in a statement Monday (July 8).

H’ng said changes that are being implemented by the unity government are tough for many to accept and it led to a trust deficit towards Putrajaya.

“Nevertheless, the unity government will increase its efforts in ensuring the welfare of the people and carry out policies so that everyone can feel the change brought by the government,” said H’ng.

On July 7, Mustapha said Umno had lent various state machinery to campaign alongside Pakatan in the Sungai Bakap by-election, but noted that he could not say the same for DAP.

According to Mustapha, he obtained information that DAP failed to approach Chinese voters during the campaign, where even some locals appeared to be unaware that there was a by-election happening.

Mustapha claimed there was a mere 47% turnout among Chinese voters in the Sungai Bakap by-election.

At the same time, Mustapha also questioned a recent incident involving Kepong DAP where the crowd cheered after it was announced that Pakatan lost the Sungai Bakap by-election.

“Something is not right here. It should be noted that DAP is PKR’s old friend in Pakatan.

“The veterans are of the opinion that the outcome of the Sungai Bakap by-election will greatly impact the upcoming Nenggiri by-election.

“Umno will be facing an uphill battle in winning Nenggiri,” said Mustapha.

Mustapha was referring to an incident mentioned by DAP’s Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, where he said on July 6 that when he announced the Sungai Bakap by-election results at a dinner banquet, the crowd clapped.

Perikatan retained the Sungai Bakap state seat after its candidate Abidin Ismail garnered 14,489 votes against Pakatan’s Dr Joohari Ariffin who got 10,222 votes.

There were 208 spoilt votes and a 63.45% voter turnout, according to the Election Commission.

The by-election was held following the death of its incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

During the state elections last year, Nor Zamri captured the Sungai Bakap seat with a 1,563 majority against Pakatan.

Malays make up 59.2% of voters in the state seat, while Chinese voters comprised 22.4% and Indians (17.2%) and others (1.2%).