Students plan to return home to vote

JOHOR BARU: University students from the six states that are going to elect a new batch of assemblymen soon are all pumped up.

While the polling dates have yet to be announced, some of them have started making plans to return home for the elections.

Muhammad Hakim Mohd Zain said he would not want to miss the chance to cast his ballot.

Eager voters: Muhammad Hakim (left) and Ng.

“I am from Negri Sembilan and it is very near Johor. My final examinations will end by July 15, so it will not be much of a problem for me.

“But I do hope that the university or government will provide free shuttle buses to take us home and vote, as they did during the general election last year,” said the 22-year-old Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) undergraduate.

“I will be voting for the second time and I am both excited and nervous.

“I know that whatever decision I make will have a significant impact on the country, which is why I have made it a point to carry out my responsibility.”

He said his twin brother, Muhammad Hakimi, who is studying in Perlis, also planned to make his way back for the state election.

Another UTM student, Ng Wai Jun, said he would most likely already be in his hometown during the election.

“There is a high possibility that the polls will be held in August and by then, I will be back in Penang for my semester break and I will also be doing my internship there.

“So, voting will not be an issue for me,” added the 23-year-old.

Ng, who is also a second-time voter, said he bought his own ticket to fly home for the 15th General Election last year.

He said he knew the importance of voting.

“I feel like if we do not even go out to vote, we cannot really say much if elected representatives or the government end up doing a bad job.

“Since we are now given the opportunity to have our voices heard, we should make use of it to decide on the future of the state,” he added.

The six states that will be having their elections are Negri Sembilan, Penang, Selangor, Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu.