[VIDEO] GE15: are we voting? four ‘nos’ and a ‘maybe’ 

KUALA LUMPUR – In the lead-up to the 15th general election (GE15), mixed feelings are rife as Malaysians gear up to exercise their democratic right to vote.

The last general election, in 2018, resulted in regime change after six decades, when Barisan Nasional (BN) lost federal power for the first time, as well as control of all states in the peninsula except Perlis and Pahang.

The Pakatan Harapan government, however, only ruled for 22 months before the infamous Sheraton Move happened and led to its collapse. 

It was then replaced by a new government, Perikatan Nasional, which lasted 17 months before Malaysians came back to square one with a BN prime minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Malaysia has now seen three different prime ministers in the last three years.

How will Malaysians cast their votes this time around? Have we had enough of Malaysian politics? And do Malaysians still have faith that their votes will count?    

According to the Election Commission, there are over 21 million eligible voters for GE15, more than 6 million of them newly enfranchised.

Some voters whom The Vibes spoke to were frank in saying they felt their votes no longer counted.

For 18-year-old Fatin Nabillah from Selangor, the anticipation of voting has turned to consternation as political players appear more invested in power and greed rather than the well-being of their constituents. 

Maran Muniandy, meanwhile, asks if there is a point to voting since parties are placing candidates based on what their president wants and not what the constituents want or need in their area.

“And there’s too many parachute candidates. We don’t even know who they are!” said the Klang voter.   

While some are not planning to vote, there are those who are still hopeful and are prepared to cast their votes.   

Five-time voter Pukal said he still believes in casting his ballot, calling it his duty as a Malaysian citizen to do so. 

However, he also admitted feeling cynical over the political scene in recent years.

“Too many issues everywhere in Malaysia today. I’m not sure whether the facts are true or otherwise, as they simply whack here and there,” said the Subang voter.  

While many feel disillusioned over the Sheraton Move, Pukal said the tumultuous events of the last few years since 2018 were a blessing in disguise, as the true colours of the politicians were revealed in their hopping from one party to the next for their own benefit.

Pukal also jokingly added that Malaysia “hit the jackpot” via the 2018 general election when Malaysians gained three prime ministers with a single vote. 

First-time voters eager to vote

Candidate nominations will be filed on November 5, and polling will occur on November 19. Early voting will be held on November 15.

For the first time, Malaysians aged 18 to 20 are also allowed to vote, following the implementation of laws to lower the minimum voting age from 21.

Among those interviewed, student Nour Nabilla Sabri, 23, said she felt excited to vote, having been told that it is a civic responsibility.

She also had a clear idea of the type of representative she wanted in Parliament: “I want someone who is honest, responsible, and free from corruption and has empathy and mercy towards citizens,” said Nabilla, who hails from Kedah.

Pavithra Naidu, 23, an intern, said she would vote for someone who was “loyal, not racist, not greedy” and who had leadership skills.

“If people don’t vote, the country will be run by someone who isn’t responsible,” she said when asked why she thought voting is important. 

Wan Afiqq, 22, agreed, saying he wanted a leader who would care for the people. 

I want leaders who are good and capable and will help the B40 community by reducing taxes and the price of goods. 

“Many B40 people don’t have jobs and are having trouble keeping up with the rising cost of living, so I want a government that gives priority to the people,” he said.

Nabila and Wan Afiqq said they both understood the voting process and what to do on polling day. They also knew what spoiled votes are. – The Vibes, November 2, 2022

Additional reporting by Kirtigha Pannee Selvan