Malaysia election: Low voter turnout likely in Johor due to monsoon, economic woes

Johor is likely to see low voter turnout at Malaysia’s 15th general election (GE15), with people heading to the Nov 19 polls just months after a state election and amid weather woes.

The impending monsoon season is a major concern, especially for residents in flood-prone areas, said analysts.

This was the case during the 13th general election, with people deciding against going through the extra trouble to vote.

Observers believe Johoreans may also be less motivated to vote at this year’s federal election as they had already turned up for the state election earlier this year in March.

But with 26 parliamentary seats in Johor up for grabs at the coming polls, political parties are still expected to go all out to woo some 2.5 million voters – come rain or shine.

Campaigning for GE15 and polling day itself will likely happen under heavy rainfall, said observers.

The effects of bad weather have already started to show, with about 20 families having to take shelter at a school after floods devastated their homes in Pontian district early last month.

“The flood this time was really bad. The items in my home were damaged,” one resident, whose family of eight was affected, told CNA.

Beyond flood concerns, COVID-19 and economic troubles also weigh heavily on Johoreans’ minds.

“Cost of living has gone through the roof. The value of the ringgit has gone down,” said Serina Rahman of the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, adding that some voters feel their vote may not make a difference.

“A lot of people are just blaming the politicians. It’s not like they are blaming external global factors or the war in Ukraine.”

Agencies