KUCHING: Tomorrow is the day for voters to decide the best candidates to represent them for the next five years; bringing desirable changes, policies as well as laws that will have a bearing on the country’s future.
All Malaysians who are eligible to vote in the 15th general election (GE15) must not waste this opportunity to have their voices heard.
Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president Gary Ningkan said everyone has the responsibility to participate in governance and the most crucial part of it would be the elections in deciding the representatives to steer the country.
With the implementation of Undi 18, he said, young people have been given the trust and the added responsibility to participate in the choosing of the government.
“It is the time to show the government, political parties and politicians that the young voters want and should be heard. Show them a strong turnout tomorrow (Nov 19) at the polling centres to fulfil our civic duty and responsibility,” he said.
Gary said there were many instances in past elections where many did not even bother to vote, or a candidate won with a slim-majority of 100 votes or less.
This situation, he said, must not be allowed to happen as it shows a lot of uncertainties and portrays lack of confidence in the democratic system and the country as whole to investors.
“We have to make a choice, and whichever party or coalition Malaysia that wins the election, must have a strong, clear and undoubted mandate to ensure that Malaysia will have a solid and stable government to get us back on track economically,” he said.
Federation of Chinese Associations of Sarawak President Datuk Richard Wee said voting is the fundamental right of all citizens, thus, everyone should fulfil their civic duty.
“In our democratic system of one man one vote, every vote matters. We should always vote for the best candidates and the parties who can best represent our aspirations and interests of Sarawak,” he said.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Women chief Kho Teck Wan said politics impact every aspect of the people’s lives in Malaysia.
She said decisions made by politicians, ministers and government determine quality of education, health, standard of living, welfare and career opportunity, among others.
Therefore, she said, it is important to vote and do so wisely and carefully.
“Every single vote matters, especially in a tight race, even with one vote, it can change the outcome.
“Avoid having the perception that one vote is too insignificant to bring change. You never know. So, go out and vote,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Jacqueline Fong, the co-founder of Tanoti Crafts also urged all Malaysians, especially Sarawakians to vote because “democracy is precious”.
“We should not rob ourselves of our freedom to choose our leaders. Many countries in this world do not even grant their citizens this basic right,” she said.
Thus, she hoped every eligible voter will go to cast their vote tomorrow.
