Upper Six student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Batu Kikir, Syafiq Rambe Abd Kadir, 19, said the state election presents an important opportunity for the younger generation to voice their aspirations in the Serting state constituency.

“For me, what is important and relevant is to see faster development in Negeri Sembilan, particularly here, by creating more job opportunities for local youths so they do not have to migrate elsewhere in search of work,” he said when met at the Pentarama X Kelab Malaysiaku and Safe Internet Campaign programmes at the Jempol District Information Office in Bandar Seri Jempol today.

The programme was officiated by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and attended by 60 Form Six students from three secondary schools in Jempol.

Syafiq Rambe, the youngest of five siblings who lives in Taman Sri Serting, said rapid local economic development is key to ensuring a stable future for young people.

Meanwhile, Lower Six student at SMK Datuk Mansur in Bahau, Eason Yong Yi Shen, 18, who will be voting in the Bahau state constituency, hopes the elected state government will focus on providing better educational infrastructure, including more public libraries and schools, while strengthening the economy.

Upper Six student at SMK Batu Kikir, Damia Qaisara Mohd Riduan, 19, who is also a voter in the Bahau state constituency, hopes the elected state government will fulfil its promise to create more relevant job opportunities in Negeri Sembilan, while helping youths navigate the challenges of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven job market.

Lower Six student at SMK Batu Kikir, S. Rajeswary, 18, meanwhile, hopes the newly elected representative for the Jeram Padang state constituency will help provide education scholarships so she can fulfil her ambition of becoming a teacher.

The Jempol parliamentary constituency comprises four state constituencies - Serting, Palong, Jeram Padang and Bahau - with a total of 96,716 registered voters eligible to cast their ballots in the state election. Of the total, 47,175 voters, or 48.78 per cent, are men, while 49,541, or 51.22 per cent, are women.

This state election will see a three-cornered contest in the Serting state seat involving incumbent Mohd Fairuz Mohd Isa of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Muhammad Noraffendy Mohd Salleh of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Yaacob Mahmood of Pakatan Harapan (PH).

The Palong state seat will also see a three-way fight between incumbent Datuk Mustapha Nagoor of BN, Muhammad Zahin Zinal Abidin (PH) and Rebin Birham (Bersatu), while the Bahau state constituency will witness a straight fight between Teo Kok Seong (PH) and Chong Fui Ming (BN).

Meanwhile, the Jeram Padang state seat will see incumbent Datuk Mohd Zaidy Abdul Kadir (BN) challenged by three candidates - Sri Sanjeevan Ramakrishnan (Bersatu), G. Manivannan (PH) and Dayana Dal of Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli).

Early voting for the Negeri Sembilan state election has been set for Tuesday, while polling will take place on Aug 1.

For the latest updates on the state polls, visit https://prn.bernama.com/n9.

-- BERNAMA