KUALA LUMPUR – In an effort to garner more voters to cast their ballots, a secretariat supported by 15 youth-centric organisations has called on young, eligible Johoreans outside of the state to return and do so for the upcoming state polls.
In a statement today, the Pulang Undi Johor secretariat announced that it has launched a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of aiding young voters who are facing financial difficulties, hindering them from returning and carrying out their voting responsibilities.
“We have no funds, and we are no one, but for the sake of helping young Johoreans to return to vote, we will do our best to gather funds from our relatives in Johor and the compassionate people of the nation.
“With the funds generated from the campaign, we will then provide transportation services in the form of public transit or bus,” the secretariat’s official spokesman Aidi Zuhaili said.
The movement also noted that due to the nation’s poor economic management, many youths living outside Johor are currently financially challenged after losing their jobs and businesses due to the pandemic.
“As such, efforts to return and vote might be hampered due to the unreasonably high cost of travel,” Aidi said, adding that as this is the first election that will see the implementation of Undi18, the secretariat is intent on ensuring that the youth are able to carry out their duty.
He also expressed the movement’s disappointment with the Johor government for dissolving the state assembly, claiming that the move will inhibit democracy in the state.
“With a general election on the horizon, many might not return to vote.
“This happened in the Melaka election, and it is not impossible for the same to happen during the upcoming Johor election,” Aidi alleged, adding that the movement’s efforts are to counter such a possibility.
Among the 15 organisations in support of the movement include the Universiti Malaya Students’ Union, Petaling Youth Malaysia, the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students, and the Agenda Organisation for the Malaysian Generation.
Those who are interested in donating to the cause can do so by channelling their contributions to the Pertubuhan Pembangunan Intelektual Malaysia account 5644 9045 2956 (Maybank). – The Vibes, January 26, 2022
