GE15: Young voters demand development in rural areas

KOTA KINABALU - Young voters want to see development and proper infrastructure in their constituencies.

Ora Orena Massiyas, 20, from Kampung Meligan, Sipitang, said she is excited to cast her vote and will not waste the opportunity to vote for her chosen representative.

" I have evaluated the candidates that each party has put forward. I will be voting for the candidate that can help to bring more development, and essential infrastructure to my village such as better roads and internet access.

"Although many residents in these rural areas are qualified to continue their education but due to the lack of infrastructure and facilities such as roads and poor internet network coverage, it is difficult for them to go out to distant places," she said when met by Sinar Harian recently.

Ora Orena who is also a graduate of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) hopes that the chosen candidate will bring about the much needed change to their village which is located in the rural vicinity.

Meanwhile, Nurul Ain Abdul Halim, 19, from Kampung Nusalalung, Pulau Bum-Bum, Semporna, admitted that she was quite excited to vote this Saturday.

Nurul Ain said that there were various parties that are contesting and their candidates are going all out to win the hearts of young voters.

" We have Parti Warisan (Warisan), and then there is Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and other parties. So I have to choose which is the best one to bring development to this island and Sabah in particular.

"I have to think first and at the same time, I am also researching the candidates, especially in the Semporna parliamentary constituency including the incumbent, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal," she said.

She added that there were some of her friends who were confused about those contesting and who are the main leaders that will later govern the country and state due to the many changes made, " We just had the state elections here, it has not even been five years since we voted, thus some are confused," she said.