MELAKA: Voting was more than just a trip to the ballot box for some Gen Z voters, who turned polling day yesterday into an occasion for family bonding, outings with friends and even earning a living.
Mohamad Harith Haikal Mohd Hafiz, 19, marked a milestone by casting his ballot for the first time alongside his mother, Hamidah Abu Bakar, 44.
The eldest of three siblings arrived at the polling centre at about 10am after having breakfast with his mother.
The vocational college student from Machang was curious about how the voting process worked and what to expect as a first-time voter.
“I was excited because it was my first time voting. I wanted to know how the process worked.
“I hope the leaders understand what young people want and work together to earn our trust,” he said.
For Farah Ikmar Mat Yusof, 27, the trip to the polling centre was just the beginning of her day.
The second-time voter accompanied her friends to other polling centres after casting her ballot before they gathered for group photographs, proudly showing off their inked fingers.
She was also pleased with how smoothly and quickly the voting process went.
“The voting process was very quick and smooth. I’m happy everything went well.
“Whoever wins, I just hope they will do their job as an elected representative,” said Farah, who hails from Machang.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Afiq Danial Suffian, 21, had a different priority on polling day morning as he focused on selling drinks before heading to the ballot box.
The young trader chose to vote in the afternoon, giving elderly voters the opportunity to cast their ballots earlier as a gesture of respect.
Muhammad Afiq Danial said he could balance his business commitments with his responsibility as a voter without having to rush to the polling centre.
“I wanted to give the elderly a chance to vote first. I can always vote in the afternoon,” he said.
