One of them, Dr Chou Chi Ming, chairman of the Kuching Chinese Community Charitable Trust Board, 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.
He declined to name the constituencies.
He said Chinese voters 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 the 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.”
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 currently at stake, only Bawang Assan went to Barisan Nasional in 2011. DAP will be defending 12, and PKR one seat. 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 had 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 community, which 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 are led by component party SUPP and direct candidates, who quit UPP, the splinter of SUPP, to contest under the Barisan banner.
Adenan can expect more support from the community according to a businessman who heads a Sarawak business guild.
“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 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:
BANDAR KUCHING
Peter Pau (Padungan), Milton Foo (Pending) and Sih Hua Tong (Batu Lintang)
STAMPIN
Wilfred Yap (Kota Sentosa), Lo Khere Chiang (Batu Kitang) and Senator Dr Sim Kui Hian (Batu Kawah)
SARIKEI
Huang Tiong Sii (Repok) and Ding Kuong Hing (Meradong)
LANANG
Chieng Buong Toon (Bukit Assek) and Tiong Thai King (Dudong)
SIBU
Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan) and Janet Lau (Palawan)
MIRI
Pau Chiong Ung (Tanjong Batu) in Bintulu, Sebastian Ting (Piasau) and Hii King Chiong (Pujut)
– BERNAMA