JOHOR POLLS | With the countdown to the Johor state election underway and the Negeri Sembilan polls campaign about to begin, 134 Chinese associations have urged voters from both states to return home and fulfil their civic duty.
In a joint statement, the groups, which include the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), said while they understand that some voters feel disillusioned, choosing not to vote will not change the status quo.
"Every single vote matters to the policy direction of the state government over the next five years, and affects local development as well as the livelihoods of the people
"Therefore, we urge voters from Johor and Negeri Sembilan, especially outstation workers and students, to plan their journeys home early and vote, using their ballots to express their expectations and choices for the future state government," they said.
Furthermore, the associations noted that a large number of outstation voters work around the Klang Valley, hence, they called on employers there to demonstrate corporate social responsibility by granting flexible arrangements or special leave for employees returning home to vote.
Apart from KLSCAH, other signatories to the joint statement include Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees' Association), Jiao Zong (United Chinese School Teachers' Association), Merdeka University Berhad (MUB), various state Chinese assembly halls, the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies (CMCS), and the LLG Cultural Foundation.
Bersih, Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram), and a coalition of Indian NGOs were also invited to attend today's press conference.
Risk of societal regression
Speaking at the press conference, KLSCAH president Ngan Teng Ye pointed out that the two state elections are not merely a reshuffle of local governance, but a crucial test of public opinion regarding the country’s democratic progress and institutional reforms.
However, he stated that as Malaysia enters an era of intense multi-party competition and political fragmentation - coupled with the slowing down or stagnation of many key institutional reforms - a strong sense of political fatigue has permeated society, leading to the belief that voting no longer matters.
He reminded the public that reshaping the system is by no means an overnight process, but one that requires sustained efforts and taking it one step at a time to succeed.
"If we choose to give up our vote at this critical juncture, it is equivalent to relinquishing our right as citizens to exercise oversight. It could even cause Malaysia's political landscape to regress into narrow racial and religious confrontations.
"We initiated this joint signature campaign to re-awaken public concern over national public affairs, and to remind voters in Johor and Negeri Sembilan that the ballot remains our most vital tool to bring about change and fight against the old system," he added.
Clean election, realistic promises
Additionally, Ngan sent a firm message to all candidates to convey the expectations of civil society.
"We strongly condemn any practices that exploit race, religion, personal attacks, or the spreading of hatred to win votes.
“We support candidates who uphold the principles of democracy, diversity, moderation, openness, secularism, progressiveness, fiscal responsibility, and good governance,” he said.
Ngan stressed that all candidates and their parties need to focus on local economic development, the people's well-being, the fair distribution of resources, and state governance accountability.
“They should present concrete and feasible plans for running the state, and earn voters' support through their political visions and governing capabilities,” he added.
Johoreans are casting their ballots this Saturday, while the Negeri Sembilan election will see nominations on July 18, with polling scheduled for Aug 1.
Below is the list of signatories:
Dewan Perhimpunan China Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia
Gabungan Persatuan Guru-Guru Sekolah Cina Malaysia
Merdeka University Berhad
Gabungan Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Cina, Johor
Dewan Perhimpunan China Negeri Sembilan
Dewan Perhimpunan Tiong Hua Terengganu
Gabungan Pertubuhan Tiong-Hwa Kelantan
Dewan Perhimpunan Pulau Pinang
Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Kedah
Dewan Perhimpunan Cina Perak
Gabungan Persatuan Cina Pahang
Dewan Perhimpunan China Melaka
Centre For Malaysian Chinese Studies
LLG Cultural Development Centre Berhad
Dewan Perdagangan Malaysia-China
Persatuan Promosi Teknologi Malaysia-China
Persatuan Seni Muzik Chin Yong Malaysia
Guan Di Association Of Malaysia
Persatuan Siswazah-Siswazah Taiwan Cheng Kung Universiti, Malaysia
Persatuan Bekas Mahasiswa-Mahasiswa Universiti Chengchi Taiwan, Malaysia
Malaysia Tsinghua University Council
Persatuan Seni Lukis Dakwat Cina Malaysia
Persatuan Ibu Tunggal Spring, Malaysia
Persatuan Keturunan Poh Malaysia
Persatuan Gao Malaysia
Persatuan Ng Teng Chin Malaysia
Malaysia Luen Seng Physical Culture Association
Persatuan Loke Malaysia
Persatuan Keturunan Choo Malaysia
Persatuan Pelukis Malaysia (PPM)
Malaysia International Commerce, Culture & Arts Facilitation Association
International Association Of Creative Arts
Gabungan Persatuan Nama Keluarga Cina Malaysia
Malaysia Laundry Association
Pertubuhan Tai Chi Chuan Malaysia
Malaysia Hainan Chamber Of Commerce
Geha Bodhi Care Centre
The United Lee's Federation Of Malaysia
Loh Association Of Malaysia
Federation Of Yap's Association Malaysia
Malaysian Female Artists Society
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association Of Malaysia
Persatuan Kebajikan Chui Sui Malaysia
Malaysian Chinese Medical Association
Siow Association Malaysia
Persatuan Keturunan Chan She Shu Yuen KL & Selangor
The Hainan Ying Chuan (Tan) Clan Association KL & Selangor
Persatuan San Jiang Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
The Selangor & Federal Territory Chung Shan Association
Persatuan Tong On Selangor Dan Wilayah Persekutuan
Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Association
Persatuan Foochow Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
The Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association
Persatuan Kwangsi Selangor Dan Kuala Lumpur
Persatuan Hainan Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan
Persatuan Teo Chew Selangor Dan Kuala Lumpur
The United Chinese School Committees' Association Of Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan KL
Chinwoo Athletic Association Selangor And Kuala Lumpur
Persatuan Chuang & Yam Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan
Persatuan Ho Po Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor
Persatuan Kesenian Pak Leng Kuala Lumpur And Selangor
Gabungan Persatuan Kubur Cina Wilayah Persekutuan Dan Selangor
Persatuan Huian Quangang Kuala Lumpur Dan Selangor
Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Furniture Association (KSFA)
Kelab Yik Yin (Yik Yin Club) KL & Selangor
Persatuan Kejuruteraan China Selangor Dan Wilayah Persekutuan
Persatuan Tarian Desa Selangor Dan Wilayah Persekutuan
Selangor Amoy Association
Persatuan Poon Yu Selangor And Kuala Lumpur
Pertubuhan Wanita Maju Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
Advertisers Association Selangor FT
Persatuan Kwong Siew Selangor Dan Wilayah Persekutuan
Persatuan Sam Shui Selangor
Persatuan Wui Leng Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
Huang Clan Association Selangor & KL
Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Chin Kang Association
Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Chinese Coffee & Tea Shopkeepers Association
FT & Selangor Automobile Repairers Association
Persatuan Persahabatan Berpanjangan KL
The United Lee's Association Selangor And Kuala Lumpur
Persatuan Pemilik Lori Selangor Dan Kuala Lumpur
The Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Nan Ann Association
Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Nanyang Thong Hong Siang Tong
Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor, Kuala Lumpur Dan Perak
Persatuan Ching Yuen Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan
Persatuan Pekedai & Pekerja Wilayah Persekutuan & Selangor
Persatuan Thoy San Selangor And Kuala Lumpur
Persatuan Ko Yong Koh Si
Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Funeral, Exhumation And Feng Shui Association
Persatuan Alumni Sekolah Seg Hwa Di Wilayah Persekutuan Dan Selangor
Persatuan Pembinaan Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan KL
Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Lim Clansmen Association
Persatuan Murid-Murid Tua Sekolah Poay Chneh
Persatuan Peniaga Dan Pengusahaan Sederhana
Persatuan Alumni Taiwan Selangor Dan Wilayah Persekutuan
Persatuan Pemborong Ikan Hoi Seong Kuala Lumpur
Persatuan Nam Hoi Kuala Lumpur
Persekutuan Wushu Wilayah Persekutuan KL
The Chia Clansmen Association Of Kuala Lumpur
KL Eng Choon Hoey Kuan
Kuen Cheng Alumni Association
Persatuan Penjaja-Penjaja Dan Peniaga-Peniaga Kecil PJ
Persatuan Keturunan Wu Pantai Klang
Persatuan Hokkien Klang
The Kajang Kwang Tung Public Cemetery Association
Persatuan Murid-Murid Tua Sekolah Yu Hua Kajang, Selangor
Kepong Hokkien Association
Persatuan Penjaja-Penjaja Dan Peniaga-Peniaga Kecil Kawasan Kepong
Persatuan Murid-Murid Tua SJK(C) Han Ming
Persatuan Murid-Murid Tua San Yuk, Rawang
The Ulu Yam Bahru Kwang Tung Association Selangor
Persatuan Ann Koai Hulu Selangor
Kelab Rekreasi Saudagar Cina Sungai Besar
Lum Hua Alumni Association
Persatuan Amal Dan Akhlak Che Pei Kok Sekinchan
Persatuan Keturunan Han Kang Daerah Sabak Bernam, Selangor
Persatuan Murid-2 Tua SRJK(C) Sin Min Sg Besar Selangor
Persatuan Teo Chew Sekinchan, Selangor
Persatuan Hokkien Daerah Kuala Selangor & Sabak Bernam
Au Yong Association
The Sun Theatre
Persatuan Kebajikan E Sungai Besar
Persatuan Kwang Tung Ulu Langat Kajang
Malacca Chinese Education Progressive Association
Penang Sun Yat Sen Society
Pertubuhan Muzik Pulau Pinang
Pertubuhan Komuniti Kasih Sayang
Persatuan Tarian Negeri Sembilan
Persatuan Kabajikan Budaya Ikhlas Negeri Sembilan
Persatuan Chung Sun Negeri Sembilan
Persatuan Kaum Kerabat Pan Selangor
The Chinese Medical Institute Of Malaya Graduates’ Association
Societies Executive Secretaries Association Malaysia
- Mkini
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