Pas’ absence among factors in low turnout

SHAH ALAM: Pas’ absence in the Sungai Kandis state seat by-election has been cited as one of the key factors in the low turnout in Saturday’s polls.

A factory worker, who wanted to be known only as Azmi, 53, said Pas’ decision to make way for Barisan Nasional (BN) by not contesting had caused dissatisfaction among Pas supporters.

“This area comprises PKR, BN and Pas supporters. Since Pas decided not to contest the by-election, a large number of its supporters chose not to vote.

“Another factor might be that people believe that regardless of which party won, both will work for the betterment (of the constituency). As seen in their (BN and PKR) campaigns, both vouched to prioritise locals and care for their welfare,” he told the New Straits Times Press in Sungai Kandis yesterday.

Nor Hana Muhidin, 46, a businesswoman, said the low voter turnout could be because of the recent 14th General Election.

“Some might have believed that the by-election would not have any major effect as Pakatan Harapan has formed the government. Another reason could be because Saturday is a working day for some in Sungai Kandis. I called up some of them to come out to vote, but they said they couldn’t make it before 5.30pm.”

Hana said what was worrying was there were voters who were unaware of the polling day and they did not know that they had to vote.

This, she said, could be because they did not check if they needed to vote.

“The polling centre was quiet. I saw a lower turnout of youth voters. There are those who chose not to vote because they are not supporters of both parties.”

Mohd Nazmi Mohammed Nordin, 30, an operations employee in Klang, said many voters had to attend to personal matters and were working on Saturday.

“Some were in their kampung and opted not to travel to Sungai Kandis to vote. They were working or had events to attend to. If the by-election was held on Sunday, it might have seen a bigger turnout.”