A swing of the Chinese votes to the Barisan Nasional (BN) is likely to happen in the Sungai Limau state by-election, polling for which is on Nov 4.

The Chinese only make up 1,842 of the 27,222 voters but their votes can be crucial for the victory of BN candidate Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim in a constituency that has remained a PAS stronghold for five electoral terms since 1995.

Information gleaned from interviews with some Chinese voters indicates that the community is beginning to see the endearing personality of the late Sungai Limau state assemblyman Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak of PAS in Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir.

A coffeeshop owner who wished to be identified just as Ooi, 58, was straightforward with his remark: "I think BN can win this state seat due to the current Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir's capability in leading the state."

He said Mukhriz was energetic, passionate and down-to-earth - qualities which he claimed Azizan, the former Kedah menteri besar, had had.

The Sungai Limau state seat fell vacant following the death of Azizan on Sept 26. Dr Ahmad Sohaimi, 52, a former Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris lecturer, is engaged in a straight fight with PAS' Mohd Azam Abdul Samat, 37, a director of the party-backed early education network Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (Pasti) Kedah.

Ooi said the by-election was the last chance for the Chinese community, especially the younger generation, to vote for the right candidate if they wanted a change for a better life.

Talking of Mukhriz, he said that "with his young mind and spirit, we believe he would bring development and opportunities for the youths in Sungai Limau".

He said that despite being a calm and peaceful place to live in, the Sungai Limau constituency did not have many facilities to offer youths and was considered a 'sleepy' town without any sports complex or entertainment centre.

Most of the youths have migrated to other areas for a better life, he added.

"However, with Mukhriz's stated commitment to bring more opportunities and development to the area, we believe it is time to get the BN to lead the change for a better tomorrow," he said.

A fertiliser seller, who wanted to be known only as Chin, said the Chinese had supported Azizan because he was "friendly and caring" unlike the local BN leaders then whom he claimed had been "unfriendly and insensitive to our problems".

Chin, 54, of Sungai Limau Dalam, regarded as the 'Pekan Cina' of the constituency, said their unhappiness over the unfriendliness of the local community leaders then had pushed them to vote for the opposition in the last few general elections.

A paddy farmer who wanted to be known as Ah Keat said they were aware of all the various incentives allocated by the government to develop the agricultural sector in the state.

However, the failure of the local leaders then to take care of them had made them vote for Azizan, he said.
Ah Keat, 48, said he felt that this time there might be a change because Mukhriz and Dr Ahmad Sohaimi were seen as "good and humble leaders".