Sunway University’s Wong Chin Huat said PN showed a tendency to “self-demonise”, as exemplified by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s failed attack on DAP’s Pang Sock Tao prior to the by-election.

“PAS scored an own goal for PN by attacking the DAP candidate’s Chinese education background. This is as (detrimental) as a non-Malay seeking Malay support but attacking Islam,” he told FMT.

Last week, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said Chinese voters were losing faith in DAP but were being “spooked” into supporting the party at the May 11 polls.

Wee said DAP’s demonisation of PN, particularly PAS, had compelled the Chinese community to maintain their support for Pakatan Harapan despite reservations about the coalition’s ability to implement promised reforms.

Wong acknowledged that DAP’s shortcomings had dampened enthusiasm among Chinese voters.

“This is reflected in the lower voter turnout (in Kuala Kubu Baharu), compared to the last state election. The turnout was lower by over 3,000 votes, with PH losing 862 votes, despite gaining Malay votes,” he said.

Wong agreed that DAP had lost some Chinese backing over and above a sizeable share of the Indian vote. He said the trend was likely to persist unless the party returns to its principles.

Pang won the by-election on Saturday with a majority of 3,869 votes. She polled 14,000 votes, defeating PN candidate Khairul Azhari Saut (10,131), Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainuddin (152) and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin (188).

The final turnout of voters was 61.5%, lower than the 69.25% recorded in Kuala Kubu Baharu at the state polls last August.

Meanwhile, Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said Chinese voters fear PAS’s “theocratisation” agenda and are spooked by what they see in PN-led states.

“PAS’s persistent focus on hudud law, as well as fines imposed for certain modes of dressing in Kelantan, have contributed to the community’s fear of PN.”

That fear has led them to maintain their support for DAP, he said.