WILL MCA LOSE VOTERS?

AS VOYEURS both sides of the Causeway pore over the nuances of the dirty DVD featuring ex-Malaysian Health Minister Chua Soi Lek and his florist lover, political observers are now weighing the political fallout from the biggest sex scandal to hit the country in recent years.

In particular, with a general election expected early this year, many wonder what the impact will be on the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

BN, which is made up of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the MCA and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), has already been under considerable pressure over the past months due to a series of street rallies challenging its authority.


Dr Chua's sex scandal also bears the hallmarks of a smear campaign, his supporters argue, and this suggests dissension within MCA ranks.

But some observers argue that such 'tactics' should not come as a surprise during general elections.

Political analyst James Wong said: 'Internal rivalry and power struggles are part and parcel of politics.'

But the analyst believes that the MCA could be losing some of its urban support and middle-class voters as it loses 'professional' leaders such as DrChua, Mr Lim Ah Lek (lawyer and former MCA deputy president) and MrChua Jui Meng (lawyer and former Health Minister), who are being replaced in the party by 'rabble rousers'.

Recent surveys have also shown that the Chinese population, which makes up 24 per cent of the country, is disappointed with the stagnant state in the Malaysian economy, particularly in the construction, retail and small and medium industries sector.

Mr Ibrahim Suffian, director of independent public opinion polling outfit Merdeka Centre, said: 'There were high hopes when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over from DrMahathir Mohamed as Prime Minister in 2004.'

He said the Chinese viewed MrAbdullah as a leader who could fight graft, introduce fair and equitable policies, and boost economic growth.

However, according to an MCA insider, there is a groundswell of opinion that the promises have not been kept.

'People are waiting for the economic spillover of the mega projects announced in the last few years, most of them are not feeling (the effects) yet,' the insider said.