Homeward bound to do civic duty

AS six states go to the polls today, a wave of voters are returning to their hometowns to take part in the democratic process.

They are determined to exercise their right to shape the future of their country while taking the opportunity to reunite with loved ones back home.

Many already left earlier in order to get more time to spend with their families.

Plus Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) said it was bolstering its highway operations to accommodate up to 1.9 million vehicles along the North-South Expressway yesterday and today.

PLUS operations senior general manager Mohd Yusuf Abdul Aziz said all highway maintenance, upgrading and construction works that required lane closures except for emergency works such as accident clearance, critical or emergency repair work would be halted during the peak period.

Meanwhile, a Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) spokesperson confirmed that as of Aug 10, 31,234 tickets or 93% of tickets available had been sold for the Aug 11 to 13 period.

Vivian Khor, 30, who currently lives in the Klang Valley, will be back in her hometown of Teluk Air Tawar in Penang for her first state election.

The homecoming crowd at KL Sentral during the holidays. Elections will also see many rushing home but the hassle will not stop civic-minded voters. – Filepic

She intends to have a say in her hometown’s future.

“I bought my train ticket as soon as the polling date was announced,” said Khor, adding that the process of voting was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

“I have to go back to ensure my vote goes towards something I believe in.

“I want Teluk Air Tawar to have a better future with the right government in place.

“It is an important moment in history and my friends in Selangor are also heading home to vote.”

Jay Ratnesh, 44, who lives in Selangor, has not missed any opportunity to cast his vote in previous elections, and has many reasons to head back to his hometown of Port Dickson.

(From left)R. Revathi, 21, Eileen Too Wan Ting, 20, Hana Nadhirah Safarudin, 20, and Lim Siao Qing, 21, buying tickets at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Kuala Lumpur to return home to vote.

“The journey will take me only about an hour from my home in Putra Heights.

“I also get the opportunity to accompany my mother to her polling station in Batu Empat.

“I hope that by casting our vote, my mother and I can play a part in helping our hometown continue to thrive and evolve.

“Positive changes start with collective action and voting is a key part of that,” he said.

He also looks forward to meeting his childhood friends for breakfast and lunch.

Oil and gas technician Mohamad Amril Johan, 45, said the journey from Terengganu to Selangor by road may be long but worth it as he felt voting was a meaningful act that could have an impact on the people.

“I spend most of the year in Terengganu but I still keep in touch with issues affecting the people of Selangor.

“Social media makes it easy to stay up to date with what candidates are doing and the time taken to travel back just reminds me not to take voting for granted.

“No postal vote for me, as I enjoy the excitement that comes with elections,” he said.

Young voters lining up to cast their votes in Gombak during GE15last year.

Meanwhile, non-governmental organisation Rakyat Supervision, in collaboration with the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Association Youth Section is working hard to ensure that anyone able and willing to vote does so.

Co-founder Randy Yong said they organised free bus services from Johor and Selangor to help improve voter turnout.

“We were told that bus ticket prices have become a burden on some voters who wanted to return to their hometowns.

“The cost can come up to RM150 to travel both ways.

“We encouraged the public to turn to postal voting but some were not registered and still wanted to vote,” she said.

She added that volunteers in Selangor, Johor and Singapore were helping to coordinate the postal voting process to meet the Aug 12 deadline.

Small towns such as Semenyih in Selangor will be bustling this weekend as former residents return to cast their vote and also spend time with their families.

“So far, we have three buses leaving Johor Baru and Selangor that will go to Penang and Kedah.

“We also have voters carpooling from Johor to Negri Sembilan.

“We want to help people exercise their right as voters, regardless of their political affiliation.

“We don’t want people just sitting around in the kopitiam talking about politics.

“We want to help them do something about the situation,” Yong said.

The young and old relaxing in Teluk Air Tawar, Khor’s hometown. She is just one of many Penangites returning home to vote. — Filepic

Malaysians living and working abroad are also making the effort to return home to vote today.

Among them is senior analyst and IT consultant Afiffuddin Noli, a 26-year-old who is based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

He will be voting in the Seri Setia state constituency and has booked a flight connecting through Dubai which involves a five-hour layover.

“I wasn’t able to apply for a postal ballot since the deadline was in mid-June.

“Since this election will shape the future of Selangor, it’s important that I make it back to vote,” said Afiffuddin.

He highlighted the importance of young voters making their voices heard.

“These votes determine the future of the nation including its economy and living standards.

“Choosing the candidate and party that will work towards the betterment of the country is crucial.

“Voting is the first step towards establishing our political presence as youths.

“I am already familiar with the candidates and their contributions to the community as well as their manifestos,” he added.

Afiffuddin will fly home from the Netherlands as he feels it is vital for youths to make their voices heard.

Afiffuddin also expressed his hopes for better public transportation in the future.

As a bonus for him, returning to Malaysia means he can enjoy local food once more.

“I miss the food, especially ayam masak merah, daging masak kicap and terung sambal,” he said, adding that his diet in the Netherlands was strictly western food.

Another youth finding his way back to his hometown to vote is 26-year-old Mohammad Fakkrudin Hasani, who is from Pengkalan Kundor, Kedah.

He managed to secure a free bus ride leaving Selangor, offered by Rakyat Supervision.

“It’s the duty and responsibility of citizens in a democratic nation to vote.

“Each and every vote counts,” he said.

Election time also serves as reunion time for Mohammad Fakkrudin who plans to reconnect with his family and old friends.

Rakyat Supervision has offered Mohammad Fakkrudin a free bus ride from Selangor to Kedah.

He said he was satisfied with the candidate options in his constituency this election.

“They seem to be highly educated and have a good background,” he said.

Student Kashmita Dutt Harjapan Singh, 24, will be driving from Kampar, Perak, to Temiang, Negri Sembilan, to cast her ballot despite the expected increase in traffic.

“An election gives us the opportunity to choose our representative.

“This is our right as citizens of this country,” she said.

Kashmita also looks forward to spending the weekend with family as she doesn’t get to see them often.

Some key issues Kashmita hopes the elected representative will prioritise for her hometown are infrastructure development, traffic management and social welfare programmes.

As voters overcome challenges, they hope their voices will shape the election outcome and thus, their future.