Bentong a microcosm of Malaysian politics

Huge Chinese population offers rare gauge of political soul-searching in community nationwide

Malaysian Chinese Association head Liow Tiong Lai holds the seat for Bentong in Pahang.
Malaysian Chinese Association head Liow Tiong Lai holds the seat for Bentong in Pahang. PHOTO: TRINNA LEONG
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Barber Yong Oo Kung, who operates from a sliver of a partitioned shop lot on the main street of this quaint town, an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur, gripes that he has not been able to charge more for several years.

"The cost of living is going up but if I raise prices, I will lose customers," he said as he guided an electric shaver during a buzz cut for his third customer of the day that will net him RM8 (S$2.70).

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 11, 2018, with the headline Bentong a microcosm of Malaysian politics. Subscribe