Higher voter turnout key to stronger Johor mandate, says Maszlee

PH’s Maszlee Malik speaking at a Johor election live dialogue hosted by RTM, Astro Awani and Sinar Harian.

JOHOR BAHRU: Pakatan Harapan’s Puteri Wangsa candidate Maszlee Malik has urged Johoreans to turn out in large numbers on July 11, saying a high voter turnout would give the next state government a stronger mandate.

Speaking at a Johor election live dialogue hosted by RTM, Astro Awani and Sinar Harian today, Maszlee said a turnout of 80-90% would better reflect the people’s true mandate.

“In a democracy, one vote has value. A vote reflects the people’s mandate. The more people who come out to vote, the stronger that mandate will be,” he said.

Maszlee said he was not referring to any particular political party but argued that a higher turnout would favour those who served the public with integrity.

“If only a small number of people vote, those who win will not receive the full mandate of the people,” said the former education minister.

“They may hold power and win many seats, but they would not have the people’s full mandate.”

As such, Maszlee urged Johoreans working outside the state, including those in Singapore, to return home to cast their ballots.

Tonight’s dialogue was initially expected to include Johor Barisan Nasional chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi, but he had said that there was no need for him to participate as he was not contesting against Maszlee.

Onn Hafiz is contesting in a straight fight in Machap against PH’s Hafiz Roslan.

Speaking to reporters after the dialogue, Maszlee said such platforms encouraged voters to evaluate candidates based on ideas, policies and evidence rather than emotions.

“I hope this marks a turning point in our country’s politics by reviving a culture of dialogue so that people can choose based on arguments, facts and evidence, rather than mere sentiments and emotions,” he said.