JOHOR BARU: Malaysians working in Singapore should return home to vote in the upcoming elections.
The call is made by incumbent Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament (MP) Hassan Abdul Karim.
Hassan, who will be defending his seat hoped that Malaysians who work in Singapore will return home and exercise their rights and responsibility.
The 71-year old lawyer from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has been selected by the party to run for his second term.
"For some it may be still a working day in Singapore but for others it could be your weekend off day and that should enable you to come back home and choose your leaders," said the former PKR Johor state chairman.
He also urged the Singapore authorities to allow Malaysians to return to cast their ballots on Nov 19.
"Voting is our responsibility; everyone needs to vote. My humble appeal to companies and factories is to consider giving a day off so that Malaysians could get home to vote," he said.
Hassan said he understands the weekend rush crossing into Malaysia and appealed to them returning to brave the traffic for the sake of voting.
He said, "The right to vote is a duty and responsibility, as well as a privilege,"
This inclusive voting right, he said is known as universal suffrage.
Indeed, "one person, one vote" is seen as a hallmark of representative democracy.
Voting in this coming general election, he said, provides an important way to voice your opinion regarding elected leaders and their policies.
"Voting also helps you decide your own future by electing a person who reflect your own views," he said.
He added that voting is more than just a right to be heard; it is a privilege of democracy and a moral obligation.
Lim Hang Min who works as a salon assistant said he will be heading back home to Ipoh to vote.
"I want to vote and I'm excited," he said when met at the Larkin integrated transportation terminal here.
Lim,25, said he will apply for a two-day leave and return just to vote as he feels it's his duty as a Malaysian.
Another Malaysian working in the Island Republic, Md Damiri Abd Rahim said it is a working day for him but he will request for a day-off as he resides in Johor Baru.
"I do not want to miss voting and will head back home on Friday," said the 31-year-old food and beverage manager.
He said he feels proud to vote as he wants to choose the best person to lead his constituency.
R. Ravichandran, 55, who works as a security officer is ready to leave for home on Friday, a day before election day.
"I have applied for leave earlier and it was approved, hence it's back home to vote," said Ravichandran.
He said he understood the journey could be tedious but he would brave it as he just wants to vote.
There are about 350,000 Malaysians working in Singapore and 386,000 Malaysians with permanent residency status.
