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1. Daisy in Tokyo, Japan

Image for illustration purposes only.
Image via Sa?a Petricic/CBC

Occupation: Student

Reason for leaving Malaysia: To continue my studies

Voting this election: Yes

Know which party to vote for: Yes

What matters to you in this general election and what do you wish for the next government to change or accomplish?

I just wish for a government that would put the people above profits.

I want politicians who genuinely want to see Malaysia progress, who want to serve the country and improve the lives of Malaysians, whether it is about addressing poverty in Malaysia (addressing food insecurity, creating affordable housing, and improving education opportunities), infrastructure (roads, hospitals, etc), equal opportunities between races, protecting the environment (reducing logging and saving our forests), or addressing low wages and job security.

I don’t hope for perfection, but I hope to see a Malaysia where I can at least say the future looks bright.

2. Jane in California, US

Occupation: UI designer

Reason for leaving Malaysia: To continue my studies; for work

Voting this election: Yes

Know which party to vote for: Yes

What matters to you in this general election and what do you wish for the next government to change or accomplish?

The political unrest in Malaysia has finally come to an end with the election being called. For better or worse, it’s something necessary for the country to move on to the next chapter.

Malaysia’s political maturity has grown so much over the past three years. It’s surprising to see a multi-coalition government, especially with the Opposition signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to see through the passing of the anti-party hopping law and ‘Undi 18’.

With the 15th General Election (GE15), I am especially keen to see the return of some leaders being elected as members of parliament (MPs), such as Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (former second finance minister returning to contest in the Titiwangsa parliamentary seat) and PKR’s Pandan candidate Rafizi Ramli.

Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (left) and Rafizi Ramli (right) on TV3’s special Budget 2023 programme.
Image via Berita Harian

3. Moses in Sydney, Australia

Occupation: Test Engineer

Reason for leaving Malaysia: To study

Voting this election: Yes

Know which party to vote for: Yes

What matters to you in this general election and what you wish for the next government to change or accomplish?

What matters to me in this general election is a fair and clean election where the people actually have a say in who should lead the country without any hanky panky.

I wish for the next government to openly fight against corruption, be transparent, address the increasing cost of living, fight for equality, especially for those who are marginalised, and not be biassed towards a selected few just because of their status or connections.

4. Chin in New York City, US

Image for illustration purposes only.
Image via NYC Go

Occupation: Investment fund manager

Reason for leaving Malaysia: To achieve my ambition/dream

Voting this election: Yes

Know which party to vote for: Yes

What matters to you in this general election and what do you wish for the next government to change or accomplish?

Equality and fairness for all should be key goals of the next government. Article 8 of the Constitution promises equality for all but this has never been fully practised as our government has always been selective about what rights are protected and what aren’t.

A large part of why I left Malaysia was due to the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. Growing up in suburban KL, it was not uncommon to be harassed or verbally bullied by peers, strangers, and sometimes even teachers. The words “pondan” and “gay”, et cetera, are thrown around casually as insults, as if we are less than normal human beings. This degrading, painful, and miserable way of growing up as a child is not something anybody should go through. Many people on the receiving end will end up having mental health issues, leading to a spike in suicide rates. They could be shunned by their own families, thrown out of the house, discriminated against, or fired at work, and some, due to a lack of choice, would ultimately take on sex work.

Leaving home was not an easy decision, but it was the best decision I have ever made. I could never have been as successful as I am if I had stayed home and stayed closeted. Having found my supportive, chosen family here in New York City, I am finally able to live as my true self and not have to suppress who I truly am to conform to society’s expectations of who we should be.

5. Melissa in Ireland

Occupation: Professional

Reason for leaving Malaysia: To improve my quality of life

Voting this election: Yes

Know which party to vote for: Yes

What matters to you in this general election and what do you wish for the next government to change or accomplish?

I, like any other Malaysian citizen, want a clean, uncorrupted, and impartial government for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. A leader (the Prime Minister), who is likeable, professional, highly educated, experienced in governance, and can actually do his job well.

He needs to lead his team (not to mention have a great team by his side), and bring Malaysia up in glory economically and in the eyes of the world, so that I can once again call myself a proud Malaysian. Go Malaysia, vote wisely! End corruption. Shame on the kleptocrats!

6. Anonymous in Scotland

Image for illustration purposes only.
Image via Visit Britain

Occupation: Customer service

Reason for leaving Malaysia: To improve my quality of life

Voting this election: Yes

Know which party to vote for: Yes

What matters to you in this general election and what do you wish for the next government to change or accomplish?

I must admit, I am not quite in touch with the political situation in Malaysia. I am hoping to vote for the least corrupt party in this election. I want the next government to focus on getting the economy back on track and strengthen it to become a legit competitor to other developed economies. I want to see better labour policies in place that prioritise work-life balance and combat unemployment. Basically, I want a government that prioritises social welfare for a change.

7. Adam in Singapore

Occupation: Sales

Reason for leaving Malaysia: For work

Voting this election: No

Know which party to vote for: No

What matters to you in this general election and what do you wish for the next government to change or accomplish?

I have been disappointed with the Malaysian government for many years, and when the country was given a change in 2018, it was taken away shortly after.

I’ve been in Singapore for the past five years. In the first year, I was adamant that I would one day return to Malaysia. Now, five years later, I am not so sure. It feels like Malaysia has made no progress over the past few years, evidently with the weakening of the ringgit against the USD and SGD. The rate of inflation and salary increment haven’t seen any drastic improvements at all, too.

Malaysia has great leaders from both sides. However, certain leaders are somehow always given ministerial positions even though they are obviously sleeping on the job. Khairy Jamaluddin (incumbent health minister), Gobind Singh Deo (former communications and multimedia minister), and Anthony Loke (former transport minister) are some of the great ones in this electoral term.

I want ministers who are actually smart. At the workplace, we will sometimes work under an incompetent boss, and the whole team knows it, but we are powerless against them. I don’t want that in Malaysia. I don’t want to work in a country where the ‘boss’ is incompetent. It’s that simple.

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