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SHAH ALAM – With only days left before Johor heads to the polls, some voters are still weighing their options, saying issues such as the cost of living, job opportunities and public transport matter more than political slogans and campaign promises.
As early voting begins today, interviews with Johoreans suggest that bread-and-butter concerns continue to shape voting decisions, with some first-time voters remaining undecided despite the campaign entering its final stretch.
For Adib Azim, 27, a Johorean who commutes daily from Kluang to Singapore for work, practical issues such as infrastructure and public transportation are among his top considerations.
He said the introduction of the Electric Train Service (ETS) to southern Malaysia had made it possible for him to continue living in Kluang while working in Singapore.
"A few years ago, commuting daily from a town located 100km away from Johor Bahru would have been almost impossible.
"Thanks to improved public transport, I can continue living in Kluang, where the cost of living is significantly lower and the pace of life is much calmer, while working in Singapore," he told Sinar Daily.
Adib said better transportation systems allowed people to seek better-paying jobs elsewhere while continuing to contribute economically to their hometowns.
"If everyone were forced to live in Johor Bahru simply because of work, housing costs would continue to rise and families would struggle financially.
"Practical and achievable solutions often have a greater impact than ambitious promises that cannot realistically be fulfilled," he said.
He added that both national and local politics mattered, but meaningful changes often began at the community level through initiatives that directly improved people's daily lives.
Meanwhile, first-time voter Irdina Fareesya Abdul Fattah, 18, said she had yet to decide who would get her vote.
"I still haven't made up my mind on who I will vote for because I'm still in the process of doing my own research and learning more about the candidates contesting in this election," she said.
She said the cost of living and job opportunities were among the most important issues for young people, particularly those from lower-income households.
"These are issues that will shape our future and determine the kind of opportunities available to our generation," she said.
Irdina said she hoped the elected representative would carry out their responsibilities with integrity and genuinely listen to the concerns and problems faced by ordinary people.
She also admitted that the election campaign had yet to fully capture her attention as she was only beginning to become more politically aware.
"There is still a possibility that I could change my mind during the final days of the campaign. If I come across new information or current issues on social media related to the election, it could influence my decision," she said.
Despite remaining undecided, she said she intended to vote and believed every ballot mattered.
"I definitely want to vote because I believe it is my responsibility as a citizen to fulfil my duty and have my say in the country's future.
"Even though one vote may seem small, every vote matters and can collectively have a significant impact on the outcome of an election and the future direction of the country," she said.
The concerns raised by both voters echo observations by political analysts that Johoreans are becoming increasingly discerning, with decisions no longer based solely on party loyalty or campaign machinery.
Previously, Universiti Malaya Department of Administrative and Political Studies senior lecturer Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub, recently said voters now wanted to know whether candidates understood local issues, were approachable and had a record of serving the community.
Political analysts have also noted that the implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration has created a more diverse and critical electorate that is less influenced by traditional political sentiments and more focused on issues that directly affect their daily lives.
Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Prof Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani said new candidates face the challenge of building their profiles and convincing voters within a short campaign period, making direct engagement and clear communication increasingly important.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Associate Professor Dr Mazlan Ali also observed that voters, particularly educated and younger segments of the electorate, tend to evaluate candidates based on their background, vision and capabilities before deciding who to support.
The Johor state election was called following the dissolution of the state assembly on June 1.
A total of 172 candidates are contesting all 56 state seats, with early voting scheduled for July 7 and polling day set for July 11.
