Disillusioned Pontian voters say they’re done with politicians

 

Jalaludin Zainal said he and many of his peers were fed up with political parties.

PONTIAN: While election fever is heating up politicians, people in the coastal town of Pontian, famous for its fresh seafood, were as cool as the weather on Saturday afternoon, with just a few families picnicking by the Johor seaside.

While a smattering of party flags could be seen around town after candidates filed their nomination papers, there seemed to be little buzz about the state elections, as also reflected in the sentiments of several voters who spoke to FMT.

Jalaludin Zainal, 60, said he had become dissatisfied with all political parties following the pandemic and the recent floods in Johor, expressing disappointment in how elected representatives were barely present in times of crisis.

He told FMT that Johoreans had to look out for each other and could not depend on politicians, adding that many others were, like him, fed up with political parties.

Yong See Sin said Johoreans were generally not happy, though development was not the issue.

“After Covid-19, there were the floods. The Chinese helped the Malays, the Malays helped the Indians, the Indians helped the Chinese. It was really just the people taking care of each other.

“It’s only during election season that politicians want to help. But in the pandemic, many lost their jobs. Some had to become small traders, and even to do that they were barely supported,” he said, adding that such traders should be allowed to set up stalls with little trouble.

Jalaludin, who works as a security guard, also said it was time for the old guard in politics to move along and let newer faces take their place.

“Figures like Najib Razak, Muhyiddin Yassin; that’s enough of them. Let the young lead. I’m really not happy with all of them, from the opposition to the government. They’re just the same.”

Nonetheless, he said he would still be going to cast his ballot as it was incumbent on him to fulfill his responsibility as a voter. “Though my heart is hurt, I must still vote. It’s others’ right to vote or not, but I encourage and even scold my peers who don’t vote,” he said with a chuckle.

Yong See Sin, 49, said it was hard to believe the promises being offered by politicians, regardless of party, as most of these pledges would go unfulfilled.

Development was not the issue in Johor, unlike some other states, as Johor was generally well developed, he said. Yet, people in the state were not happy.

“It’s not about money. Education is very important. Religious harmony is also very important. That respect must be two-way. On the other hand, businessmen are also not happy, they’re just waiting for the borders with Singapore to fully reopen,” said Yong, who works as a food supplier.

Zainuldin Sharan said it would have been better for the Johor polls to be held at the same time as the parliamentary general election.

Zainuldin Sharan, 54, said voters wanted assemblymen who could be seen going to the ground and working for them, something he said was absent, also during the floods earlier this year.

He said this was not just for them to look like they were working, but to also get a taste of the realities of regular Pontian folk. Otherwise, how could they serve the people effectively, he asked.

“It’s only when it’s time for us to vote that we’ll see their faces. After that, we don’t see them. Then when it’s election time again, they’ll resurface,” he complained.

Jalaludin, Yong and Zainuldin felt that the state assembly elections should not have been held, especially when the next general election was just around the horizon. They said the funds being used to hold the polls should have been channeled to help the people instead.

“It would have been better if the state and parliamentary general election was held in one go. It’s easier and there would be more stability,” said Zainuldin, who works as a lorry driver.

Two first-time voters. 24-year-old Huzairi and 20-year-old Nurul Azuanira, also said the elections should not have been held at a time when Covid-19 cases were reaching a new peak.

They hoped to see some change in Pontian and for the prices of goods to be addressed. Job opportunities were few in Pontian town, they said.

However, they were unsure of whether they should cast their ballot based on the candidate or on the party. - FMT