KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — In Segambut, Malay voters form less than one-third of the predominantly Chinese electorate.

On paper, votes from the community will not make much impact on the election results. But they carry the highest symbolical value to the political party leading the three-way contest in the capital city’s biggest constituency.

A win is almost certain for the popular DAP candidate Hannah Yeoh in Segambut, where Chinese voters form over half of the electorate and are staunch supporters of the party.

But the former Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker said to win is not enough — the real victory lies in the ability to sustain the level of support and prevent a decrease in majority, especially among the Malays.

"Their support is important,” Yeoh told Malay Mail after meeting voters at a wet market in Bukit Damansara here.

"We want to make sure the majority is not reduced, and sustaining support level among the Malays will be important.”

DAP, whose leaders are mostly ethnic Chinese, annihilated their Barisan Nasional rivals in the 13th general election, sweeping two-thirds of the votes and a 19,199 majority, among the biggest in the country at the time.

The massive win would not have been possible if not for the Malays, who gave considerable support despite the party’s anti-Malay stigma, an image blemish that mostly stemmed from the race tactics of political rivals, but partly also due to their inability to present a genuinely multiracial leadership lineup.

This explains why Yeoh considers the Malay votes important.

While increasing the Malay vote count may be ideal, a sustained level of support like 2013 should be enough to deflect attempts at damaging its multiracial credential.

Religious-baiting

The fight for Malay support is also personal for the former Subang Jaya assemblyman — political rivals have used Yeoh’s faith to besmirch her and the party’s image, claiming she was conspiring to spread Christianity through her autobiography.

Two nights ago, her team found posters that depicted her with a bible and a crucifix distributed in Segambut’s Malay neighbourhoods.

If Yeoh is able to increase Muslim support on May 9, it sends a clear message that a large part of the community reject the personal attacks against her faith.

Malay constituents in Segambut comprise highly mixed demographics. Most are urban, educated, middle-class and are highly informed voters, which make them more receptive of Pakatan Harapan’s political ideals, Yeoh said.

But many of Segambut middle-class Malays are also known to be conservative and religious. With PAS in the race, Yeoh conceded that the Islamists could hamper her efforts to increase its Malay votes tally.

"It can be split,” she said when asked to comment on the matter. "That’s why I don’t want to underrate them and we have to work hard.”

PAS fielded Mohd Solleh Ab Razak, a young cleric from the East Coast. He has campaigned there tirelessly even at the prospect of certain defeat, going door to door to mostly Malay neighbourhoods to promote the party’s election pledges, including the implementation of hudud.

He claimed the response about the party’s push for hudud laws has been positive so far, especially among middle-class Malays and even among the minorities.

"Alhamdulillah, the response has been well, particularly among the M40,” Solleh told Malay Mail when met at wet market here.

"On hudud.. many welcomed the idea after we give them explanation.”

Reforming DBKL

Middle-class Malays are conventionally perceived to be socially liberal and identify more with PH’s brand of progressive politics, than that of PAS. But Malay Mail had previously reported that a huge number of middle-class Malays also professed to be religious and showed inclination to vote along religious lines, even if they are socially open.

But whether or not PAS can make any significant gains in Segambut is doubtful. The party’s campaign appeared low-key and met with little enthusiasm, based on Malay Mail’s observation.

Hannah Yeoh speaks at the ceramah in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur May 5, 2018. — Picture by Ham Abu Bakar

Like most urban seats, voters in Segambut worry more about rice bowl issues and good governance, and these concerns cut across the income board, Yeoh said.

Urban voters are also the most to care about issues like corruption and civil rights. Yeoh said this is reflected in the protest against the City Hall (DBKL) launched by residents of Taman Tun Dr Ismail over the sale of parcel of land in Bukit Kiara.

"They are angry at the corruption and they want good governance.. that is why if I am elected, I promise a reform of DBKL,” the DAP leader said, adding that she is also pushing for local council elections.

Over at the Barisan Nasional’s camp, DAP’s main contender in Segambut, its candidate Datuk Loga Bala Mohan has made statements with a similar tone, asserting his support for local council elections in an interview with Malay Mail recently.

But Loga’s campaign has mostly focused on promoting BN’s FT manifesto, which among others pledged to create more jobs, housing, better public transport and funds for the poor.

Pundits have expressed scepticism that the BN candidate can mount a serious challenge against Yeoh.