MALAYSIANS residing in Singapore are not keen to return to vote in the upcoming state elections but will continue to fulfil their obligations by using postal votes.

They told the Malaysian Insight that costs, failure to get leave and needing to organise travel arrangements are some of the reasons they won’t be returning back to their hometowns. 

Daniel Rajasingam Subramaniam, 29, who will be voting in Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, said he is not planning to come back to vote. 

The postgraduate student who has been in Singapore for more than a year said that returning home to vote might effect his studies.

“I am currently not planning to come back to vote in the state elections as the dates haven’t been announced yet.

“I’m also worried it may clash with classes and other commitments,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah have dissolved their respective state assemblies. They are expected to go to the polls by August.

It was reported last year that 9,000 ballots were brought back from Singapore for the general election (GE). 

Daniel also said travel costs was another issue. 

“Especially the cost of travel during those dates. I’m more confident in the overseas postal voting system this time around so I may opt to vote by mail instead.”  

He also said that to keep abreast with current politics, social media was the best platform to get information on the state polls.

“I mainly get the news from my feeds on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

“I think this is an interesting round of state-level elections. With the new political alignments post-GE, it’s about how much voters align with the new dynamics.”

Daniel said that he has personally seen voters in his state being more vocal on state-level issues like the PJD link highway project and environmental issues.

“I am hoping to see the government parties use the elections as a chance to present a clearer response to these issues in their campaign.”

Daniel said he had registered as a postal voter for the last general election in November last year.

“But I ended up returning to Malaysia during the election to vote.

“It was my first time being away during election season so I felt like I was missing out on the election excitement back home. 

“I was also quite apprehensive about whether my ballot would be returned on time if I did a postal vote since there were many issues with overseas ballots in GE14.”

Daniel, however said that he found the process of registering for an overseas ballot during the last GE relatively straight forward.

“Most of the Malaysians I know in Singapore didn’t face any issues receiving their ballots. I plan to use the overseas ballot for the state elections.”

Chai Duwei, who has been working as an Information Technology manager in Singapore for four years, said that that he will also be opting to vote by mail. 

The 31-year-old said that he will be voting in Pandan Indah, Selangor.

“I don’t think, I will be able to get leave, so I will probably opt for postal voting.

“Postal voting is just easier. I did the same for the previous GE.”

Unable to get leave

Chai also said that he has been following the news on the state elections on social media. 

“I think this state elections will be a highly constested one. With both sides of the political divide trying to increase their influence in states that are status quo pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) or pro-Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“I think it will depend on whether PN/PH will be able to swing some states over in this election.

“With an emphasis on which party will takeover Selangor.”

He also said it would be interesting to see Muda going into the state polls solo without any pact with other parties.

“With Muda running solo this time, it will also be interesting to watch what impact they can make, and if they can potentially be a third force.”

E. Raja, 42, who has been in Singapore for 19 years, said he will consider postal voting as well.

Raja who works in the aviation industry and will be voting in Bukit Gasing Petaling Jaya said that he was unable to get leave to go back to vote. 

“In the GE, I got leave and returned to vote. But, this time I’m unable to get leave, that’s the reason, I won’t  be returning to vote.”

Pilot Matthew N. Kumar, 37 who has been in Singapore for 10 years said that he will not be going back to vote in Negri Sembilan.

Kumar said that if he could get leave then he might return to vote but doubts if he could. 

“If there is a possibility and if I can get time, but it’s not a priority for me.”

He also said that he has been following the build up to the state elections.

“I have been following, but not entirely.” –  July 3, 2023