Melaka polls: Mandarin fluency a bonus for Pakatan’s Farzana in reaching Kelebang Chinese voters

Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the N.14 Kelebang state constituency Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir (centre) greets customers at an eatery during campaigning for the 16th Melaka state election in Pokok Mangga November 9, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 09 Nov 2026 2:13 PM MYT

MELAKA, Nov 9 — The ability to speak Mandarin gives Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Kelebang state constituency Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir an advantage in reaching Chinese voters, particularly the elderly.

Her presence in Pokok Mangga here to campaign for the 16th Melaka State Election attracted the attention of 63-year-old senior citizen Fang Kong Goon, who praised the young Malay candidate for her friendliness in engaging with the Chinese community.

“Being able to speak Mandarin makes it easier for Farzana to introduce herself to the Chinese community, especially the elderly, while building closer ties with them.

“At the same time, using Mandarin when campaigning among the Chinese community facilitates the delivery of information, including about her manifesto and aspirations should she become their elected representative,” the trader told Bernama when met at Geok Hu Keng Temple here.

The temple caretaker, Ku Chin Siew, 70, said Farzana Hayani, affectionately known as Nana by the local community, was no stranger in the area as she frequently visited and engaged with the Chinese community.

“I like seeing Malays who can speak Chinese. It makes things easier because I am not very fluent in Malay myself. It is good to see a young Malay candidate who can speak Chinese,” she said.

Meanwhile, Farzana Hayani, 26, said she was very close to the Chinese community as she had attended Ying Chye Chinese National-type Primary School in Bukit Rambai and Melaka Chinese High School, besides taking Mandarin as a subject in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

The Kelebang-born candidate also acknowledged that her Mandarin fluency had greatly helped her engage with the Chinese community during campaigning, making them feel more comfortable interacting with her.

“Many Chinese people whom I meet during campaigning, especially at eateries and during walkabouts, are surprised when they hear me speaking Mandarin, and conversations about politics become more relaxed.

“Alhamdulillah, this is an advantage for me, and most of the responses I have received from the Chinese community in Kelebang have been positive. I hope this will be reflected in the ballot papers later,” she said.

Farzana Hayani is facing a four-cornered contest against Datuk Lim Ban Hong (Barisan Nasional), Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad (Bersatu) and Young Jie Yu (Bersama).

The Election Commission has set November 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, with early voting on November 10.

For the latest news on the 16th Melaka state election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/. — Bernama