KLUANG: For some Mahkota outstation voters, the call of duty is loud and clear so they are drawing up plans to return to their hometown for the Sept 28 by-election.
“Although it is just a by-election, I will be casting my ballot as I understand that every vote counts,” said university student Choo Jin Sheng, 19, adding that he is looking forward to it.
“This will be the first time I am voting in an election, so it makes it even more exciting.”
Choo, who is studying in Kuala Lumpur, said he planned to make his way back early to ensure he would not miss out on the opportunity to cast his vote.
“Although I have already made a trip to Kluang last week for the mooncake festival, I will still be coming back to cast my vote this weekend.
“I do not see that as a problem as it will give me more time to spend with my family,” he said in an interview.
Cafe manager Aqilah Saifuddin, 30, who works in Singapore, said she planned to return to her hometown to vote in the by-election unless there is an emergency.
“Singapore is not that far away from Kluang. This is also a good chance for me to get together with my family back home,” she said.
Aqilah said her siblings living in Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur were also planning to vote in the by-election.
Factory manager C. Elangovan, who works in Pontian, said he hoped to make it home for the polls.
“Pontian is not that far from Kluang, so it is not much of a problem. In fact, I travel back home every weekend.
“However, I have been sent to Kuala Lumpur for one month for some work matters.
“It will be rather difficult for me to go back since I am depending on public transport, but I will do my best,” he said.
Elangovan, 68, said he has never missed an opportunity to vote as he believed it was his duty as a citizen to do so.
“This is the only time that I am not in town during an election,” he added.
Businessman Yap Kok Yoon, 62, said his son, who is working in Johor Baru, said he would not be returning home for the polls.
“While there may be some who are willing to make their way back home, most of the people I know, who have family members living elsewhere, have said that they are not coming back,” he said.
Yap said his sister, who is in Singapore, would not be back either.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Mazlan Ali, citing past by-election trends, said there was a low chance of a huge turnout.
“Even during the state election in 2022, the voter turnout was less than 60%. And since this is a by-election, the number will likely be lower.
“Outstation voters will play an important role but it will be a challenge to convince them to go back,” he said.
Mahkota is classified as a mixed seat with about 56% of its constituents being Malays, while Chinese make up 34%, Indians (8%) and the remaining 2% are other races.The state seat is within the Kluang parliamentary constituency, along with the Mengkibol state seat.
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, 40, urged locals to convince outstation voters to come home and vote.
“Although the by-election will not change the composition of the state government, it is still an important election.
“The main aim of this election is to maintain stability, especially political stability in Johor,” he said.
Perikatan Nasional candidate Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, 61, said it was important for outstation voters to come back to ensure that their voices are heard at the state assembly.
“We have been encouraging local voters to reach out to their children studying or working elsewhere, emphasising the importance of their participation,” he said.
“The election is particularly important because it addresses key issues like education, job opportunities and local infrastructure, which directly impact the lives of residents.”
In a press conference after launching an affordable home programme yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged outstation voters to return home for the by-election.
“With less than one week until polling day, I would like to appeal to the people of Mahkota to come out and vote.
“Whether they are here or in Mengkibol or outside of Kluang, including Singapore, I hope that they will all come back to vote,” he added.
