The Sarawak Chinese Malaysian community does not support the state BN government headed by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud because of “terrible corruption” which has a direct impact on their lives, according to state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen.

“It makes the people’s life miserable; it contributes to the increase in cost of living as well as deprives them of equitable economic opportunities. It has nothing to do whether Taib speaks Mandarin or not,” he said.

NONEChong (left), the Bandar Kuching MP, was commenting on Taib’s remark that his inability to speak Mandarin - in order to communicate directly with the Chinese Malaysian community - has led to its lack of support for the BN.

“Too bad I am a bumiputera who can’t speak Mandarin. Many of my doctrines cannot reach them, especially those who speak only Mandarin,” Taib had said, in commenting on why urban voters tend to support the opposition.

“This is the group with problems because they can’t understand our vision.”

However, Chong questioned the rationale of this claim, pointing out that Taib has a significant number of Chinese elected representatives and even state minister who understand Chinese dialects.

“(In addition) more than half of the Chinese can speak English and still can communicate with him,” he said.

“A high percentage of the Chinese population understands the link between corruption,  nepotism and cronyism, and the state of the economy.

"Urban-based natives also see the link and that is why they too have turned against the BN.”

Chong added that the quest for change transcends race and religion.

The writer, who uses a pseudonym, is based in Sarawak.