Voices from the ground: Cheoh and Thiyagaraj.
NIBONG TEBAL: There are mixed sentiments of voters’ enthusiasm for the Sungai Bakap by-election, especially among the non-Malays, as observed by two residents.
Hawker Cheoh Chee Kee, 44, who is actively engaged in various community chat groups, said there is a palpable sense of apathy among younger voters.
“They are younger than me, which is worrying as they are the future generation. Their opinion is that there is no point in coming back to vote,” he said at his noodles and rice stall in Taman Wellesley in Sungai Bakap yesterday.
Cheoh noted that discussions in local chat groups reflected a general lack of interest among the younger voters, many of whom have relocated but remain as registered voters in Sungai Bakap.
“I understand their reasoning. Work opportunities here do not come by easily, so many have moved away for a better life. They lack interest in the political situation here as they are leading new lives elsewhere,” he said.
Cheoh, whose stall is located near numerous factories, pointed out that his business had declined in recent times as many of the factories have downsized.
“My stalls had so many more customers during lunch hour in the past. I can feel the difference as I have been running this stall here for decades,” he said.
In contrast, the election fever seems more pronounced within the Indian community.
S. Thiyagaraj, 43, a security company director, said sentiments had changed since the government put more emphasis on technical and vocational education and training, education and sports.
“The Indian community here is focused on education and opportunities for the children to grow. It was lacking before but now things have picked up,” he said.
Thiyagaraj said around 6,000 Indians are living in seven neighbourhoods in Sungai Bakap.
“We have three Tamil schools here and taking care of them is our main concern. We are a close-knit community. I can see that Indians here want to vote for the betterment of the place,” he said.
Of the 38,000-plus registered voters in Sungai Bakap, about 8,500 are ethnic Chinese and 7,000 are Indians.
