JOHOR BARU: First-time voter Peter Asiang was so nervous about casting his vote, he found himself reading his ballot paper several times before marking “X”.
The 23-year-old from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Temun, said he wanted to make sure he voted for the right candidate.
“I did not want to make any mistakes,” he said.
Peter, who works as a logistics coordinator at a port, and his brother Kenniel Asiang, 24, voted at SK Sungai Danga under the Perling constituency yesterday.
Peter said he often discusses issues with his brother and other family members in the lead-up to polling day before deciding who to support.
He said they weighed the merits of the incumbent assemblyman who was known for regularly going to the ground, against another party’s candidate that had consistently provided welfare assistance and services.
Peter, who is from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Temun in Perling, said he hopes the next state government will create more employment opportunities for Orang Asli youth.
“Our village is mainly made up of fishermen and there are limited job opportunities for young people. I hope there will be more initiatives so youths like us can build careers without having to leave our community,” he said.
He acknowledged that several longstanding issues in the village, particularly involving infrastructure and education, had been addressed.
“There used to be a serious school dropout problem in our village. I am happy to now see many children back in school now and learning well because volunteers come every week to help prepare them for classes.
“I hope these efforts will continue and produce a new generation of educated Orang Asli who can contribute to the country,” he added.
