‘GE15 the right platform to choose rep to solve floods issue’

Manaf, 44, also said he wanted a leader who knew how to solve the floods problem. GE15 is the right platform to choose such a person,” he said.

Rubber tapper Azhar Mat Isa, 36, however, said he would vote only if the weather was fine.

“My house is quite far from the nearest polling centre. If floods hit, I will have to take care of my family first,” he said.

Villager Mohd Kamal Tahak, 36, also echoed the sentiment, saying his family’s safety came first.

Baling experienced one of the worst floods in decades on July 4, believed to have been triggered by deforestation and uncertain weather patterns.

The floods affected 12 villages in Baling, leaving three people, including a pregnant woman, dead.

In Johor, Muhamad Faris Sulaiman, 27, said he would not miss out on voting.

“Voting is very important. We need to go out and vote so we can elect the best leaders,” said the 25-year-old char kuey teow seller who will be voting in Skudai.

Another voter, Ardylla, 27, said she would forgo voting this time and focus on saving her sick mother.

In Kota Tinggi, residents in Kampung Baru Sungai Mas were looking forward to polling day despite living in an area which is usually cut off during the monsoon season.

Single mother Noorizam Punijan, 52, said she would go out to vote to thank the party that helped her during her worst ever experience. Her husband died on Nov 4 last year and the house was flooded during the tahlil recital.

“He died the night before, and the funeral ended at around 9am the next day but it rained and the house was flooded, forcing all of us to move to a temporary relief centre (PPS) where we continued the tahlil,” she said.

“I don’t know how else I can thank those who have helped me, my six children and two grandchildren since my husband’s death.”

Tahfiz teacher Ahmad Ghazali Abd Latif, 35, who lives across the road, agreed but felt that GE15 could have been postponed.

“Right now, our focus is on how to protect our homes, our property, vehicles, and our farm animals,” he said.

In Selangor, many voters were worried that the floods of last December would be repeated.

“I live in Kampung Sri Langkas Tambahan, Puchong, which is near Klang river. During heavy rains, Kampung Sri Aman where I vote, will be the first to get flooded, so I don’t think I will go out to vote.

“I need to move our vehicles, save my sick mother and our belongings,” she said.