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The more mature generation vented their frustration against political arrogance, corruption and inefficiency in government. Many of these sentiments are “postponed feelings”, accumulated over the years.

The Chinese are not angry with the Malays but they are angry with Umno’s arrogance

At another level, it was a generational shift of younger voters who do not share the historical baggage of their parents’ generation.

Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum’s analysis:-

The younger voters were looking at more universal aspirations like fairness, an equitable and open society, media freedom, accountability and economic issues.
The writing is on the wall. We cannot hesitate over reforms. I won’t say the Opposition will do much better than us but they can’t do worse than us.

DAP strategist and Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong’s analysis:-

The key word is equal opportunity be it in education, politics or business. The demand for equal opportunity will be the driving issue in future elections as more young Chinese Malaysians come of voting age.

Prof James Chin of Monash University said :-

Despite the limelight surrounding issues like Chinese schools, pig-rearing and scholarships, Chinese interests are also largely national issues.

Solving problems behind closed doors does not work for today’s generation.

They want fair treatment, a level playing field and they are critical of corruption. They want to see sustainable economic growth and less interference by the government in the private sector. The Chinese business sector believes that too much interference leads to inefficiency, corruption and does not encourage a level playing field. They want their leaders to articulate a vision for not just Chinese Malaysians but all Malaysians. That’s why a significant number went for PKR which, on paper at least, speaks for all Malaysians. And it is quite clear by now that the MCA and Gerakan style of solving problems behind closed doors does not work for today’s generation. They want vocal leaders who speak out when there is injustice and in a rational and intelligent fashion. Speaking out and justifying what you do is part of being transparent. The Barisan Nasional’s formula of consensus politics is fine except that over the years, the Chinese feel it is more about giving in to the demands of Umno.

Penang Gerakan politician Teng Chang Yeow:-

Even Gerakan, which started off as the voice of conscience, lost its way when it allowed the politics of the day to take over. We keep asking the Chinese for full support so that they will be well represented in government. But wasn’t that what they gave us in 2004, total support? Now you know why they’re fed-up,

Leaders like Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Khairy Jamaluddin must realise this. People equated their behaviour with Umno’s inability to change with the times. If an Oxford-educated guy still talks like an Umno politician of 10 years ago, what hope do we have for the rest of Umno?

The Chinese were disappointed that well-educated Malay professionals in Umno Youth, beneficiaries of the NEP, were still speaking the political language of a decade ago. It is time Malay politicians keep the keris out of politics. The message from the voters is very clear. They are prepared to put the opposing side in power. Not all the Chinese votes were strictly about protest, as evident from the nasi kandar boycott in Penang. Locals were disgusted with the demonstration against the new state government by Umno members and supporters and nasi kandar shops run by Indian Muslims have reported slow business in Chinese areas.

These comments are also a good for the PR representatives to guide them in the formulation of their own policies. They are what brought them vicitory but it is a ‘two-edged’ sword. It can bring them their political death if they fail to live up to the expectations.