State polls: Outstation voters deciding factor for Kedah, says political analyst

SUNGAI PETANI: Outstation voters who represent about 30 percent of the total number of voters in every constituency area are expected to be the determining factor for the Kedah state election results this Saturday (Aug 12).

Political analyst from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's (UTM) Razak Faculty Perdana Centre, Dr Mazlan Ali said these voters who are young or middle-aged working people use their critical thinking skills in making decisions.

"They form quite a big group, so when they go back to vote, they will contribute to the victory of the party they support. They determine the victory of the contesting parties," he told Bernama here, recently.

He said it seems that the outstation voters are quite reluctant to return home to vote, taking into account work commitments and the cost of returning to their hometown to fulfil that responsibility.

"The question of whether to vote is up to you considering that this is a democratic country. However, it will be a big loss if these people do not use this opportunity to choose their leader for the next five years," he said.

Meanwhile, a Kedah voter who now resides in the federal capital, Fariza Fazil, 33, said she bought her flight ticket to return to Langkawi as soon as the Election Commission (EC) announced the date of the state polls.

"Yes, I will go home to vote on Aug 12. I will cast my vote on the candidate who I feel is trustworthy to represent my hometown,” she said.

Meanwhile, private sector worker Nur Aqira Farahida Azemi, 27, said she was excited to return home to fulfil her civic duty as a voter in the Ayer Hangat state constituency in Langkawi.

"It is my responsibility to do so. We decide the future of the country, whether the party we choose wins or loses, is beside the point," said Nur Aqira who lives in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional candidate for the Tanjong Dawai state seat, Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin is confident that the outstation voters are rational and up-to-date with what is happening in Kedah and hope that the unity government will be assessed accordingly.

"They (outstation voters) have to think about which government should be given the mandate to develop the area they voted for. They are also responsible for looking at which party actually helps the people more and the party that is more concerned with politicking," he said when met recently.- Bernama