In the blogosphere, words have it that there is a wind of change in Ijok — the Chinese are voting against the government. Screenshots is talking a lot about it as well as local media. I have to disagree on their analysis though, unless my calculation is wrong. I did some test statistics and I do not see how one could assert what they assert.
Let us see the pattern at Batang Berjuntai, a Chinese area.
According to Screenshots, the results are:
2004: BN 761; PKR 306
2007: BN 605; PKR 624
We shall do some computation for 2004 first. Assuming there were only two candidates in 2004 as well as ignoring spoilt votes, the standard error for it is roughly 1.01%. For 2007, the standard error is approximately 0.99%.
Therefore, the standard error for voting in Batang Berjuntai based on the two years is about 1.42%. And nope. To find the standard error of the voting pattern, we do not take the average.
Now, in 2004, the difference between the two party is 37.48% out of total votes garnered by both. In 2007, it is 20.57%. That means the difference between the two elections between the two parties is -16.91%.
I suspect the difference is meaningless. So, my null hypothesis is this: the difference is really 0.00%. The alternative hypothesis is that the difference is real, i.e. not zero. Doing a z-test, -16.91% minus 0.00% is -16.91%. Divide that by the standard error of 1.42%. and one will get -0.12 for z. This means my hypothesis is located only 0.12 standard error away from the mean, i.e. strong case for the null hypothesis which translates to no real change. Hence, my skepticism of the allegation of a swing.
In Pekan Ijok however, the alternative hypothesis seems to hold.
The bottom line is that the signal is mixed and inconclusive. The best way to make an authoritative conclusion is to know each and every person’s vote. Or at least, a sample with clear link to ethnicity. Without that comprehensive knowledge, it would be best to stand guard instead of making hasty conclusion. Patting oneself at the back does not achieve anything. Congratulating oneself for “truthiness” is laughable.
p/s — A more sensible explanation by Ong that goes beyond race and religion, in the comment section:
The incessant reference to Chinese voters swinging to opposition is certainly missing the point that the voters in so called chinese areas are really urban voters -eg Ijok toan has only 67% chinese. Similarly the malay and Indian areas are really small holders and estate voters respectively. Seen in this way the hike in agriculture prices are definitely playing a role to win voters to BN/Status Quo. At the same time corruption in government contracts, beraucratism etc are increasingly putting off the urban voters.
People, please go beyond race and religion. It is tiring listening to the same old tune over and over again. Are we so ingrained in communal politics that only race and religion could make sense of everything?
