Ground swell in Chinese support for 'Tok Nan'

The responsive chord that Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem struck with the Chinese has resounded in a ringing vote of confidence from community and business leaders.

One of them went as far as to predict that Tok Nan, as they call him, can capture five urban constituencies in the May 7 state election – four more than in 2011.

Dr Chou Chi Ming, chairman of the Kuching Chinese Community Charitable Trust Board, said the Chinese had undergone a change in political thinking under Adenan whom most of them see as a "chief minister for all Sarawakians".

"He has implemented all his promises for the benefit of the Sarawak people. All his policies are for the good of Sarawakians and not for small groups of cronies," said Dr Chou.

"He is fair and the state government under him is clean, fair and efficient. Many Chinese voters further feel that his political and economic policies are to bring the Chinese community in Sarawak back to the political mainstream."

He said Barisan Nasional under Tok Nan could wrest back five urban seats, but declined to name the constituencies.

Dr Chou is also the immediate past president of the Federation of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Chinese Association.

Of the 15 Chinese-majority seats now at stake, only Bawang Assan went to Barisan Nasional in 2011. DAP will be defending 12, and PKR one. The other seat is the newly created Batu Kitang, which PKR will contest.

Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, the highest ranking Chinese community leader in Kuching, said Adenan has not only addressed the critical education issue for the Chinese community with grants for Chinese independent secondary schools and recognition of the United Examination Certificate, but also made the business community happy with his growth policies.

"He gives us a very comfortable feeling. He is broadminded, very considerate and is aware of the importance of all races," he said.

"He has served in the government for many years and since he took office (as Chief Minister) two years ago, Tok Nan has done so much for the community. All these are good mileage for BN in this coming election."

Adenan's statement that "orang Cina bukan pendatang" (the Chinese are not immigrants) touched the Chinese because the community has been in the country for so many years, said Lu, who is also vice-president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sarawak.

The BN fight for the Chinese-majority seats is led by component party SUPP and direct candidates, who quit UPP, the splinter of SUPP, to contest under the Barisan banner.

A businessman, who heads a Sarawak business guild, said Adenan can expect more support from the community.

"He treats the Chinese well. Previously, Chinese schools were never given any allocation. To be frank, it is a loss for the Chinese community if there is no strong Chinese representation in the state government," said the businessman, who did not want to be identified.

A voter in the DAP stronghold of Padungan, the businessman said the increase in support, however, may not be big enough to swing the Chinese votes because young voters tend to favour the Opposition.

"Personally, I will look at the candidate first and see what is his contribution. I hope SUPP will not lose all because we need SUPP too," he added.

Long-time voter Kho Khai Beng said the community should look at the background of candidates this time instead of parties.

The 78-year-old, when met in Batu Kawah where SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is contesting, said: "It's time to prove SUPP cannot be bullied."

Temenggong Lu said the main consideration for Chinese voters was to have a peaceful and stable community for living and doing business, and to ensure the young generation would have a "better environment".

BN candidates named for the Chinese-majority seats are Peter Pau (Padungan), Milton Foo (Pending) and Sih Hua Tong (Batu Lintang) in Bandar Kuching, Wilfred Yap (Kota Sentosa), Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang) and Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (Batu Kawah) in Stampin, Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii (Repok) and Ding Kuong Hing (Meradong) in Sarikei, Chieng Buong Toon (Bukit Assek) and Datuk Tiong Thai King (Dudong) in Lanang, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan) and Datuk Janet Lau (Palawan) in Sibu, Datuk Pau Chiong Ung (Tanjong Batu) in Bintulu, and Datuk Sebastian Ting (Piasau) and Datuk Hii King Chiong (Pujut) in Miri.