SEREMBAN: They came from Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Muar and even Pahang, but for many outstation voters, there was only one destination that mattered – the ballot box.
For 28-year-old Nur Farah Arina Abdull Sittar, voting was reason enough to make a quick trip home before heading straight back to Muar for work.
“I only got home late on Friday night after being caught in traffic on the way back.
“Although this is only my second time voting, it’s still exciting because it’s one way for our voices to be heard,” said Nur Farah, who arrived at the polling centre with her father.
“At the end of the day, we all want a government that works for the rakyat.”
Like many young Malaysians working or studying outside Negri Sembilan, Nur Farah returned home ahead of polling day, with many arriving late on Friday after enduring heavy traffic on major highways.
University student Jean Wong, 18, also travelled from Shah Alam solely to cast her vote.
“I came home just for this. My parents also advised me to vote early to avoid the longer queues later in the day,” she said.
First-time voter and polytechnic student Ayu Sofia Abas, 19, made the journey from Pahang to fulfil her civic duty.
She admitted to feeling a little nervous before entering the polling station but said the experience left her more confident about participating in future elections.
“I only arrived home last night after a three-hour journey, but it was worth it. The voting process was also much easier than we expected,” said Ayu Sofia, who came with her cousin, Nur Laila Tun Aqma, also 19.
Both said their parents had encouraged them to exercise their right to vote now that they are eligible.
Retirees Ng Wee Chean, 71, and Kuah Siew Guat, 67, also persuaded their children, who live outside the state, to return home to vote.
“As soon as we knew there would be an election, we told them to come back.
“The whole voting process today was smooth from start to finish, even better than previous elections,” said Ng, who has voted in every election since turning 21.
