Polls: Malaysians abroad eager to return home to vote

KUALA LUMPUR - Working abroad is not an excuse for Malaysians not to return to fulfil their civic duty in the state elections in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu and Kelantan tomorrow.

L. Deveeshwaran, 24, an auxiliary police officer in Singapore said his deep love for the country prompted him to travel back to Penang to vote in the Bagan Jermal state constituency.

"...it (voting) is also my responsibility as a citizen,” he told Bernama when contacted.

For Mohd Saidun Mohd Fuzi, 29, his return on Aug 7 demonstrated his spirit and sense of responsibility as a Malaysian citizen to choose an elected representative for the Kupang state constituency in Kedah.

"Despite the pricey round-trip ticket of RM4,000 to RM5,000, I prioritised my duty as a citizen and returned to vote. During this period, I will also get the chance to reconnect with family members who also came back to fulfil their duty.

"Unlike postal voting, the atmosphere during elections is indeed lively with long queues and the opportunity to catch up with friends at the polling centre,” said the employee of a private company in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Shik Hairul Nizam Shik Nor, said he looked forward to returning home to cast his ballot despite having only been working for a water firm in Singapore for six months.

"The company I work for provides flexibility for me to return to vote. I will return to vote in the Temiang state constituency in Negeri Sembilan,” he said.

The Election Commission has set polling for the state elections in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, as well as the Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary By-Election (PRK), to be held simultaneously tomorrow. - BERNAMA