KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 — Voter turnout in Bagan Datuk, the Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentary stronghold in Perak under its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, could see lower numbers on polling day tomorrow.
Several villagers Jalan Rungkup Simpang Tiga Selekoh who were affected by floods from the continuous heavy rainfall due to the northeasterly monsoon told news portal Free Malaysia Today they will not be braving the floods to cast their ballots tomorrow.
“It is better to think of ways to save ourselves and our belongings,” Finas Muhammad, a 28-year-old whose house in the village has been in deep water for the past three days, was quoted as saying.
Villagers told the news portal that candidates wanting to be their MP in the small, southwestern Perak town should spend their time helping flood victims, but revealed that none have stepped up to provide relief aid.
“But to date, no help has arrived and we, the small farmers, need help,” Jamil was quoted as saying.
Another villager, Tutik Senan, said she and her husband are stranded at home and subsist on whatever food is available until the waters subside.
“So, in such times where it is difficult to leave the village, I could not be bothered to go out to vote,” the 56-year-old Kampung Batu 26 Matang Kunda Tengah resident told the news portal.
From the same village, Syikin Jamalaudin, 31, said she is still eager to cast her ballots, but cannot deny that the floods have discouraged many to brave the floods and come out to vote.
“It’s their loss when voters don’t come out because of the floods,” she was quoted as saying.
Perak is one of three states that will be holding concurrent state and federal elections tomorrow. The other two are Perlis and Pahang.
The other states that are non-BN controlled had spoken out about the impracticality of holding polls during the monsoon season.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department expects the monsoon season and heavy rainfall to carry on until March next year.
Within this month, several states such as densely-populated Selangor, Penang, Johor and Kelantan have been hit by flash floods, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
The Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency has been held by Ahmad Zahid who is also Umno president ever since he first won the seat in 1995.
