How can I help?: Candidate Raja Mohamed Affandi speaking to a senior citizen during his campaign trail in Pekan Kijal yesterday. — Bernama
CHUKAI: Facing a third election within a year, young voters in Kemaman are aware of the power they have over election candidates.
Voters under 30 represents 31% of the 141,790 eligible voters in the parliamentary constituency.
Siti Nurfitri Nisya Mohamad Ali, 23, said voters should carry out checks and balances before making a decision.
The kindergarten teacher believes that reading about social, economic and political issues would help her decide to choose her representative.
“In today’s age, young people have reached a level of maturity and with modern technology, we can research the candidates and their party before going to the ballot box,” she said.
Muhammad Arif Mohd Zawawi, 23, who is also voting for the third time, said as a young voter, he would often seek the views of family members regarding candidates.
“I will ask my family for their views because it is good to hear the opinion of others. But at the end of the day, I still make my own choice,” he said.
Muhammad Arif said he was not experiencing “voter fatigue” although this would be his third time voting in a span of a year.
“I believe in the importance of voting.
“One vote can bring change,” he said.
The Kemaman by-election sees a one-on-one clash between Barisan Nasional’s Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar of PAS.
Polling is on Dec 2.
Meanwhile, Raja Mohamed Affandi is leveraging on his 43 years of experience in the Armed Forces to woo youths in Kemaman.
He said the years he spent in the military interacting with youths had allowed him to keep abreast of their needs.
“When I was chief of the Armed Forces, I was involved with the young people who enlisted with the military.
“Through these interactions, we found what their needs are,” he said after a programme at Kemaman Hospital yesterday, reported Bernama.
Raja Mohamed Affandi already has a few ideas on how to help the young people of Kemaman.
“We can find places, create activities and programmes for them to de-stress,” he said.
“Feedback from the youths is that they prefer adventurous activities.
“If given the mandate, providing them with these facilities will be in my agenda,” he added.
