He heads the youth wing of the influential Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, an organisation representing about 400 Chinese guilds and associations in Selangor, and gets feedback on the community's grouses and pays attention to the assurances by the government.

'I listen to what party officials have to say. We buy some of their arguments, but not wholesale,' Mr Tan told The Straits Times.

His sentiments reflect the uphill battle faced by Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Gerakan, Chinese-based parties in the ruling coalition, to woo Chinese voters ahead of the general election, expected early next year.

Of late, both parties have been more aggressive in reaching out to these voters such as taking part in popular television talk shows and engaging local groups.

But given Umno's overwhelming dominance in national politics, other parties like MCA and Gerakan 'can only do so much', he said.

'It all boils down to the dominant party in Barisan Nasional, Umno. They have to show seriousness in tackling issues like corruption and assure non-Muslims that their rights are protected,' said Mr Tan.

Umno leads the 14-party Barisan Nasional coalition, which includes the MCA and Gerakan.

An independent survey early this year suggests that two-thirds of the Chinese will vote for the opposition in the next election.

Many were disappointed when government leaders declared Malaysia an Islamic state. They are also upset with the government's sluggish efforts to combat corruption and crime.

MCA's think-tank director Fui K. Soong conceded that winning the hearts and minds of the Chinese would be an uphill battle.

'It's going to be a tough general election for the MCA. We expect a swing of 20 to 25 per cent votes compared with the last poll,' she said.

Based on the results of the last poll, this translates into the party losing five to six seats of the 100-odd parliamentary and state seats it now holds.

To reach out more extensively, she said, MCA should start engaging local groups where most members are from the urban middle class. The party's own surveys have shown that this is the group most likely to support the opposition.

Gerakan on Saturday launched a booklet on citizens' rights to assure non-Muslims that there are sufficient constitutional guarantees to protect minority groups.

The 40-page booklet will draw attention to constitutional provisions about freedom of religion and the right to mother-tongue education.

All these efforts were unheard of in the past.

But as Mr K.Y. Pang, the assistant secretary of a residents' association in a Chinese middle-class area said: 'It helps a bit. But it still seems like too little, too late.'

kumhor@sph.com.sg