MELAKA: The one common concern among the political parties locked in the fiercely competitive Melaka state election is low voter turnout on Nov 20.

       A survey by a political party war-room showed that the majority of the electorates were unhappy that the election is taking place despite many having voiced their objections against holding it due to the high number of Covid-19 cases.

       Some were also angry with local politicians who caused the turmoil that led to the collapse of the Melaka government on Oct 4.

       Bandar Hilir Independent candidate Mak Chee Kin said he received the same sentiment when meeting with voters in the constituency.

       “Their refusal to come out to vote is a protest of the ‘Melaka Move’ on Oct 4. But I urge them to come out on Nov 20 as they have choices among non-politicians to choose from,” he said.

       Chairman of a non-governmental organisation, R. Saravana Theerta, said many of his friends were protesting the election and would not be casting their votes.

       “Some politicians are taking us for granted and feel that they can win the election by slandering others without realising we are going to punish them by not going out to vote,” he said.

       The Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association president Wong Teu Hoon said he, too, received the same feedback from eatery owners in the state.

       “People would usually share their stories over coffee sessions and many owners told me that the topic of not going out to vote was hot among locals,” he said.

       Another local, Aziz Anura Mohd Ali, 25, said she, too, would not go out to vote as a sign of protest when people were in need of help.

       “My dad’s business was badly affected with a drop in tourists to the state since last year and we are just recovering.

       “Did those who caused the state government to collapse understand our predicament?” she said.

       In the Machap Jaya constituency, 31% of voters are either based outstation or overseas, according to Barisan Nasional candidate Ngwe Hee Sem who is doing all he can to encourage them to return to vote.

       There are over a thousand voters who work in Singapore and the Klang Valley from Kampung Machap Baru and Kampung Permai Machap Umboo.

       “Yes, we know them and we have been contacting them, encouraging them to come back to vote. Some have expressed reluctance to return due to the pandemic and also the timing of the state election.

       “We will try our best to change their minds and focus on online campaigns to keep reaching out to them,” he said.

       Ngwe, who is a familiar face in the community, added that he would be fully focusing on online campaigns by churning out videos and live updates to keep his voters informed.

       “As for those who are less tech-savvy, we have our way of engaging with them.

       “We won’t leave anyone out despite having to campaign under the new norm now,” he said.

       Ngwe is in a five-cornered contest for the seat.

       The other candidates are Pakatan Harapan’s Law Bing Haw, Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional’s (Iman) Abdul Aziz Osani Kasim, Perikatan Nasional’s Tai Siong Jiul and Independent Azlan Daud.