SABAH POLLS: YOUNG VOTERS EXCITED TO BE FIRST TIMERS IN STATE POLLS

KINABATANGAN, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- `Young voters in Sabah, especially first-timers, were eager to head to the polls in the 17th Sabah State Election today, marking their first opportunity to vote in a state election since the implementation of the “Undi18” and automatic voter registration.

Although Undi18 was first adopted during the 2022 General Election (GE), Sabahans then voted only for parliamentary seats as the state election had already taken place in 2020.

A Bernama survey at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Garam found that many first-time voters arrived early, determined not to miss this historic moment of choosing their state elected representative for the first time.

One of them, supermarket worker Siti Syafikah Gem@Gemrus, 18, admitted she felt nervous upon entering the polling booth, as this was her first experience helping shape Sabah’s direction for the next five years.

“I hope my vote today can contribute to Sabah’s continued development,” she said.

Muhammad Noh Ibrahim, 18, from Kampung Danau Ria, expressed hope that his first vote could encourage faster development in the Kinabatangan area, especially in the Lamag state constituency.

He also expressed hope that the new government can attract more industries to the area, thus opening up wider job opportunities for residents.

In TAWAU, the spirit of voting was also brought by Auni Raihah Ruji, 18, who not only had her first experience of voting, but also saw her father, Datuk Ruji Ubi, contest as a Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Merotai state seat.

She said the responsibility of being a voter is important in determining the future of Sabah and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Mohd Hilmi Bahrun, 20,  from the same area, hoped that the government formed after the 17th Sabah State Election would introduce more initiatives that directly benefit the youth in Sabah.

“Many young people in Sabah have to leave the state to find jobs, or they lack opportunities to grow. I hope the Merotai representative can create or provide platforms that help village youths develop their skills and earn a better income,” he said.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah state general election, please visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

-- BERNAMA