YOUNG voters who form the largest category in the six-state elections performed their civic duty by turning out to vote today. 

More than 50% of the 9.67 million eligible voters in the state elections held in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan and Selangor, are youth aged 39 and below, with 661,905 aged between 18 and 20; 2.16 million between 21 and 29; and 2.16 million aged 30 to 39. 

Young voters in NEGRI SEMBILAN made sure they returned home to cast their ballots today.  

Hu Pei Her, 26, who works as a sales executive in Kuala Lumpur, said she returned home a day earlier to vote at the polling centre in SJKC Sin Hua. 

“This is my second time voting and I consider this my duty as a citizen,” she said when met outside the polling centre for the Mambau state seat. 

Universiti Tenaga Nasional student Wong Chin Yeow, 22, said he took the train to Seremban this morning to avoid traffic congestion, and vote at the Mambau constituency.  

He was accompanied by his sister, Wong Wei Shin, 19. Wei Shin said the younger generation must accept their responsibility as voters seriously to ensure the future of the country, by choosing leaders with a clear vision and commitment to nation-building.

Another student, Chong Chin Yong, 23, said he did not consider it a burden to return home to vote but instead found it fun to be part of the process to select state representatives. 

A survey by Bernama at the SJKC Sin Hua polling centre found the balloting process proceeding smoothly, with many voters wearing masks and obeying Election Commission rules. 

In Kota Baru, KELANTAN, young voters also made their presence felt at polling centres.

A student of Politeknik Kota Baru in Kok Lanas, Muhammad Mirza Shahmi Sazami, 20, said the votes of young people play a significant role in determining who gets the mandate to govern the next state for the next five years.

“Although it is the second time I am voting it is still exciting to choose the right representative who will be responsible for the next five years. 

“I hope this state election results will favour the right leaders and provide justice to the people as well as bring about economic changes, especially in Kelantan,” he told reporters at the SK Islah polling centre today. 

Universiti Teknologi Mara Machang student Nur Miza Shuhada Sazami, 19, urged young voters not to waste the opportunity to vote today. 

“Young people must vote for the sake of a better future.  Consider voting to be our duty as a citizen, to change the political situation for the welfare of the people,” she said. – Bernama, August 12, 2023.