TELUK INTAN, May 23 — Barisan Nasional (BN) has big plans to spur economic growth in Teluk Intan while trying to allay fears among Chinese voters over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and implementation of hudud.

Gerakan adviser Datuk Chang Ko Youn said the plans would be revealed during the final leg of the campaigning period next week before the May 31 polls.

“It is our sincere desire to develop Teluk Intan and upgrade the economic status of those residing and working here through better economic facilities,” said Chang.

“Our candidate, Datuk Mah Siew Keong, will reveal the plans next week.”

Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng stressed BN was forced to argue national issues to convince the constituents.

Liang, who is also Simpang Renggam MP, said they had to clear the minds of voters that GST would not burden them in many ways as alleged by DAP.

He said some voters expressed fears that even the price of rice would increase by six per cent.

“We told them that is not the way GST works.”

He said DAP was using scare tactics to get voters on its side and that BN had no choice but to rebut the claims and explain the situation.

“Why should they fear BN when in fact DAP is working hand-in-hand with PAS?” he asked.

In reality, BN is fighting a tough psychological battle.

The mainly Chinese voters are concerned about GST and hudud, afraid that the two issues will affect their income and lifestyle.

For most Malay and Indian voters, hudud is not a problem, but they remain cautious over the implementation of GST which they claim would affect their pockets.

Voters, as described by Liang, are confused. DAP had placed Malay candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, and worked with PAS. BN instead fields a Chinese in the form of Gerakan’s Mah.

BN seems to be better equipped and has the capacity to reach out to every voter as Umno has branches in all 99 villages in the constituency. Gerakan needs the helping hand because on its own, it is handicapped. The same can be said about DAP as it depends on PAS to reach out to voters in the interior.

As a BN strategist mentioned, the strategy is MIC, not the Indian-based party in BN but Malay, Indian and Chinese. BN has to focus on Malay voters, followed by Indians and Chinese — in that order.

“Of course, this is based on numbers. The real thing is the minds and hearts of the constituents.

“The character assassination of Dyana Sofya will not work to influence Malay voters.

“It is still back to basics — how a representative can serve the people — day and night.