Incumbent Subang Jaya MP Wong Chen, who represents Pakatan Harapan, faces two challengers in Malaysia’s 15th General Election – Kow Cheong Wei (Barisan Nasional) and Ang Hiang Ni (Perikatan Nasional).
Formerly an MP for Kelana Jaya before the constituency was abolished, Wong Chen shares his views on Pakatan Harapan’s chances, the lessons learnt as a two-term MP, and how his Subang Jaya constituents “can be smarter than 50 per cent of Barisan Nasional’s MPs.”
Do you agree that Malaysia should have a fixed term for general elections?
Wong Chen: Yes, absolutely, because if you allow the government to declare an election any time they feel like it, they will always have an advantage. They (the government) will choose the time that suits them best.
An election should be like a football match. You must have a level playing field that does not give an advantage to any particular party. We like the idea of having elections fixed every five years.
Can Pakatan Harapan get at least 112 seats to form the next government?
Wong Chen: Invoke (a data analytics firm) was the only one that predicted that Pakatan Harapan would win the 2018 elections. For the 2022 elections, it predicts that we will win around 85 seats. That is not enough for us to form the government by ourselves.
Besides Pakatan, we have the Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional coalitions. In Sarawak, we have GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak). In Sabah, there is Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
We also have (Tun Dr) Mahathir’s (Mohamad) racing car programme – GTA (Gerakan Tanah Air).
(Editor’s note: GTA is an abbreviation for the popular video game Grand Theft Auto).
These coalitions are not united. We are fighting each other, but if we only get 85 seats, we will have to work with some other party, or parties.
If we get 85 seats, that should make us the biggest coalition. That means the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, would have to invite us to prove that we can form a government.
So, on Nov 19, go out and vote for Pakatan. Give us the leverage to be the first coalition to have the option to form the government if we cannot get at least 112 seats by ourselves.
But that does not mean we will allow anyone to join us. Differences we can set aside, but core principles, no way. We must fight corruption. Small, and other things, we can consider.
However, I sense we have a very good chance of winning, as even Felda settlers, who previously slammed the door in our faces, are opening up and listening to us. That is very encouraging.
Remember, 2023 will be an extremely challenging economic year as a global recession will hit the east and west. We need a clean government to help see us through the recession.
What has two terms in Parliament taught you?
Wong Chen: Parliamentary duties are simple. The first thing we need to do is pass laws. To do so, we need to attend Parliament. I have a 100 per cent attendance record in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The second is to serve on committees to develop policies.
The third thing an MP must do is monitor the national budget. That is my area of expertise.
So, to be an effective MP, you need to attend the sittings to help pass laws, serve in committees to shape policies, and keep an eye on what the government does with the budget.
Analysts feel that the youth will have a big say in this election. What are you doing to win their votes?
Wong Chen: I am engaging with the youth directly in issues that matter to them.
The primary issue is low pay and under-employment – meaning, they are employed, but not to the standard they were trained – for instance, engineers who work as e-hailing drivers, or are in the delivery service.
If you look at the data, those 18-23s are still studying or earning low wages. These youths are usually happy with the government as they have not experienced the hardship of the older folks and are likely to vote for the incumbents.
Those 23 to about 30-35 are more worried about the cost of living, affordable housing, getting married, and transportation.
So, the issues depend on their age. I try to address the problems they face.
As this is the first election that allows 18-year-olds to vote, my advice to parents is simple. If you are a Pakatan Harapan supporter, bring your children who are eligible to vote with you to the polling centre and hopefully, they will vote for us too!
If you are a Barisan Nasional supporter, please leave your children at home! (laughs).
What is different about this year’s campaign?
Wong Chen: This year, we are focusing more on social media.
We are also doing ceramah berkelompok (small group talks). I feel these small sessions in different areas of Subang Jaya are effective.
Many people are sceptical about politics today, but these small gatherings are more intimate as I get between 100-300 people. I can talk to them and listen to their grouses.
During these talks, I share the duties of an MP and the four basic steps of policymaking. By the time I finish explaining, the audience will probably be smarter than 50 per cent of all the Barisan Nasional MPs! (laughs).
I also take lots of wefies. The reason is simple. I take one photograph, and the resident will share it with 10-20 family members or friends. So, my reach increases by leaps and bounds.
How confident are you that you will retain the seat?
Wong Chen: I am very confident as the response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive.
The crowd turnout has been good, despite the horrible weather. The residents appreciate what I do as an MP.
They understand my duties, and my record as an MP, and my performance at the national and international levels are well known to them.
So, yes, I am confident of retaining the seat.
What are your top three wishes for Malaysia?
Wong Chen: Firstly, I want the government to be fiscally more responsible and use the money to help the poor and the middle class. That is the most important thing.
Number two, I want the country to head towards net zero as soon as possible. You cannot say net zero at the earliest, in 2050.
That is ridiculous. We have to do our part because going net zero early, helps our economy and makes us more resilient.
Thirdly, I would like to see the end of race politics, and slowly move towards this idea that it is about class differences.
If we help the poor, it should not matter whom we help. I also hope to see the end of racism as a policy and focus on creating more middle-class citizens.
Countries with more middle-class citizens are more resilient in terms of the economy, have smarter people, higher pay, and more patriotism and love for the country.
