(Seng Pang Jiang, 6th) With the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections drawing near, there is once again talk among the public of many voters losing faith in party politics and growing tired of politicians who serve only their own interests, leading to rising sentiments of “not wanting to vote.” In response, Dr. Ng Boon Seng, Datuk and Committee Member of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia and President of the Semenyih Federation of Chinese Associations, issued a statement, urgently calling for all eligible voters in both states to come out enthusiastically on polling day and fulfill their civic responsibility.
According to the Election Commission, the nomination day for the Johor state election falls on June 27, with polling day on July 11; for Negeri Sembilan, nomination day is July 18, with polling day on August 1. Both elections will have a 14-day campaign period.
Ng Boon Seng acknowledged that he understands some voters feel disheartened by the current political chaos and believe that neither the ruling nor opposition parties have performed satisfactorily, thinking that it makes no difference who they choose, and are even considering giving up their right to vote. However, he firmly pointed out that while such thinking is understandable, in reality it is extremely dangerous.
"Reality tells us that in democracies, we often find ourselves forced to pick the least rotten apple out of a basket of bad ones. We must never relinquish our right to pick just because they are all bad apples, and let others dictate our fate," stressed Ng Boon Seng.
Ng shared that he has many relatives and friends in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, and in recent days, he has been receiving numerous calls and messages from these states. They have all, without prior agreement, expressed their anxiety and helplessness about the current political situation.
He said: "Among these relatives and friends are hawkers, teachers, businessmen, and retirees. They have told me that, although disappointed with the parties’ performance and weary of political infighting, what they fear more is that—if they don't come out to vote—the country's future will be hijacked by extremists and opportunistic politicians. They have asked me to convey this message: No matter how disappointed they feel, they must vote, as this is the Chinese community’s last and most powerful voice."
Ng especially called on Johor and Negeri Sembilan natives currently working, studying, or doing business out of state to plan their schedules in advance and return home on polling day to fulfill their civic responsibility. He stated that going home to vote is not only a right but also a responsibility they owe their hometown and the country's future. Even if it involves taking leave, long journeys, or bearing transportation costs, he hopes everyone will not give up their vote over temporary inconvenience.
"A single ballot may seem insignificant, but millions of ballots combined are enough to determine the future direction of a state, or even the whole country. Don’t let others decide your hometown’s future, and even more so, don’t let your absence become the reason wrong politics continues to spread," he said.
He pointed out that if everyone chooses to “lie flat” and not vote out of disappointment, it is equivalent to voluntarily relinquishing the people's right to punish rogue politicians. Not only will this directly lead to the country's fate being controlled by a minority, but it will also deprive genuinely aspiring good leaders of opportunities.
Ng also strongly condemned the rampant phenomenon of “political frog” defections and extreme racial and religious rhetoric in recent years. He believes the best way to punish shameless politicians who betray voters’ trust is to speak with votes. If voters do not come out, they cannot express dissatisfaction with the status quo, nor can they prevent the country from heading towards the abyss of theocracy or racial segregation.
It is worth noting that these Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are regarded as a prelude to the next general election, with the results having a direct impact on the country's political direction.
"I solemnly urge everyone: We understand your frustrations, but silence will only make matters worse. For the next generation, and to prevent extremism from taking root in this land, everyone must turn sorrow and anger into strength—vote, even with tears, to choose the least rotten apple and defend a diverse, moderate, and democratic Malaysia."
Ng Boon Seng concludes by calling on voters in both states to actively rally friends and encourage outstation voters to return home enthusiastically to vote, jointly raising the turnout rate, defending the democratic system through concrete action, and making the wisest collective choice for the nation's future.
Ng Boon Seng acknowledged that he understands some voters feel disheartened by the current political chaos and believe that neither the ruling nor opposition parties have performed satisfactorily, thinking that it makes no difference who they choose, and are even considering giving up their right to vote. However, he firmly pointed out that while such thinking is understandable, in reality it is extremely dangerous.
"Reality tells us that in democracies, we often find ourselves forced to pick the least rotten apple out of a basket of bad ones. We must never relinquish our right to pick just because they are all bad apples, and let others dictate our fate," stressed Ng Boon Seng.
Ng shared that he has many relatives and friends in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, and in recent days, he has been receiving numerous calls and messages from these states. They have all, without prior agreement, expressed their anxiety and helplessness about the current political situation.
He said: "Among these relatives and friends are hawkers, teachers, businessmen, and retirees. They have told me that, although disappointed with the parties’ performance and weary of political infighting, what they fear more is that—if they don't come out to vote—the country's future will be hijacked by extremists and opportunistic politicians. They have asked me to convey this message: No matter how disappointed they feel, they must vote, as this is the Chinese community’s last and most powerful voice."
Ng especially called on Johor and Negeri Sembilan natives currently working, studying, or doing business out of state to plan their schedules in advance and return home on polling day to fulfill their civic responsibility. He stated that going home to vote is not only a right but also a responsibility they owe their hometown and the country's future. Even if it involves taking leave, long journeys, or bearing transportation costs, he hopes everyone will not give up their vote over temporary inconvenience.
"A single ballot may seem insignificant, but millions of ballots combined are enough to determine the future direction of a state, or even the whole country. Don’t let others decide your hometown’s future, and even more so, don’t let your absence become the reason wrong politics continues to spread," he said.
He pointed out that if everyone chooses to “lie flat” and not vote out of disappointment, it is equivalent to voluntarily relinquishing the people's right to punish rogue politicians. Not only will this directly lead to the country's fate being controlled by a minority, but it will also deprive genuinely aspiring good leaders of opportunities.
Ng also strongly condemned the rampant phenomenon of “political frog” defections and extreme racial and religious rhetoric in recent years. He believes the best way to punish shameless politicians who betray voters’ trust is to speak with votes. If voters do not come out, they cannot express dissatisfaction with the status quo, nor can they prevent the country from heading towards the abyss of theocracy or racial segregation.
It is worth noting that these Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are regarded as a prelude to the next general election, with the results having a direct impact on the country's political direction.
"I solemnly urge everyone: We understand your frustrations, but silence will only make matters worse. For the next generation, and to prevent extremism from taking root in this land, everyone must turn sorrow and anger into strength—vote, even with tears, to choose the least rotten apple and defend a diverse, moderate, and democratic Malaysia."
Ng Boon Seng concludes by calling on voters in both states to actively rally friends and encourage outstation voters to return home enthusiastically to vote, jointly raising the turnout rate, defending the democratic system through concrete action, and making the wisest collective choice for the nation's future.