Terengganu govt offers free bus rides home for out-of-state voters

GE15 | The Terengganu government is offering free buses to ferry local voters living out of state to return home to vote on Nov 19.

PAS Terengganu information chief Hishamuddin Abdul Karim said this was part of the state’s initiative to assist out-of-state voters.

“At the state government level, we are assisting those living out of state and wanting to return home to voters by providing free buses.

“We are asking students and others living out of state to register, and if not mistaken, 200 buses will be provided.

“But I know many Terengganu natives are in high spirits to return on their own to vote, even if the general election does not coincide with the state polls this time.

“This is a positive development and it shows a high level of political awareness and willingness to participate in the election,” he said.

Hishamuddin said this at a Terengganu PN press conference in Kuala Terengganu today.

The free buses were first announced last month when the state government launched its “Maghi Balik Mengundi” (Let's Go Home To Vote) campaign last month.

At the time, the government said the buses will depart from all Peninsular Malaysia states, including from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, with details on how to register to be announced.

‘Anticipated role’ in federal govt

He said the move does not prove claims that PAS is reliant on out-of-state voters, because the service is for all.

“The claim that PAS is reliant on out-of-state voters is not true because those living out of state also vote for our rival parties.

“We are doing this (providing free rides) because it is our duty,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said PAS in Terengganu is not fielding any “old faces” in this general election.

He said the party is putting forward candidates who are experienced yet energetic in anticipation that it will join the federal government.

“So there is no issue of youths being sidelined because we pay a lot of attention to putting forward younger candidates, and after all, there is still the state election to contest in.

“To show how serious we are in putting forward parliamentarians who can assist the government, we are fielding those who are energetic, as well as those who have a clean record to play a key role in the federal government,” he said. - Mkini