KUALA TERENGGANU, 7 Jan 2009: Barisan Nasional (BN) should pay more attention to young Chinese Malaysian voters to ensure that they support the BN candidate in the 17 Jan Kuala Terengganu by-election, said Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
He said based on feedback, this group of voters was inclined to support the opposition compared with mature voters, aged 35 and above, who could better evaluate the BN government’s services and contributions.
Speaking to reporters after attending a dialogue session with Chinese Malaysian association leaders and members of the Kuala Terengganu Chinese Chamber of Commerce here last night, Koh said the mature voters’ gratitude might not be shared by the younger voters in the constituency.
Asked about the tendency of young people to choose the opposition, he said it was a normal phenomenon generally, but they would support BN when they became more mature.
In light of this, Koh said BN must work doubly hard to get close to this young group, and pay attention to their voice and aspirations.
He said Gerakan planned to meet up with Chinese Malaysian youths to explain to them government policies, besides hearing their grouses.
In the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, BN’s Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh will face Pakatan Rakyat’s Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut from PAS, and independent candidate Azharudin Mamat @ Adam.
The by-election is being held following the death of the incumbent BN Member of Parliament and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail on 28 Nov 2008. — Bernama
