An analysis of the Chinese voting pattern in the by-election of Tenang constituency Legislative Assembly (DUN), Johor

The by-election of Tenang constituency Legislative Assembly area, Johor 2011 was held following the death of the incumbent Datuk Sulaiman Taha. Tenang located in the parliamentary election area of Labis (located in the district of Segamat, northern state of Johor) was the stronghold of the UMNO /BN. The constituency covers an area of the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), Malay traditional villages, oil palm estates and small towns that are homes to Chinese. In this election, the Chinese support could be decisive and will influence the BN’s popular vote. Accordingly, the purpose of this article to analyse the patterns of Chinese ethnic voting in this byelection. The present study explores factors that influence their political behavior in the by-election. Result of analysis of data gathered through field observations and interviews showed that majority of ethnic Chinese voters were in favor of the opposition party / PAS but the Malay majority continued to support UMNO /BN. TheChinese support for the Opposition / PR was mainly attributed to the believe that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) or oppositionparty can be the alternative governments at state and federal levels. The opposition party is more capableof exercising their rights to provide social justice, economic and political as a whole disregard of their ethnic origins.Chinese voters also dare to change their support by giving the opposition the power whether at the state or national levels. These findings provide guidance to the parties concerned in determining the factors that influence the voting patterns among the chinese and this can be used as a basis for formulating strategy in the next general election.