KUALA LUMPUR: The 2024 Indonesian presidential election process at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) spiralled out of control as voters became aggressive and resistant to following instructions from authorities.
Voters began flooding the main polling centre in Malaysia at 8am today. However, until now, tens of thousands of Indonesian citizens were unable to enter to cast their votes.
It is learnt that all of them were asked to enter the WTCKL premises in stages but there were a few who tried to resist the enforcement officers when the main door and the barrier to the polling booths were opened.
A voter, Agus Priytno, 44, said this is the second time he is voting in Malaysia.
He said the situation at the WTCKL polling centre is uncontrollable as it is an unfamiliar location for them and most voters are unsure of where to proceed to vote.
"Previously, we voted at the Indonesian Embassy and most of us already knew where to go, where to register and vote.
"However, here, most voters are unfamiliar with the location, leading to chaos compared with if it were held at the embassy building.
"I have been here for two hours and until now, I still cannot vote," he said.
Meanwhile, Dede Firman, 27, said this is his first experience voting in Malaysia and is somewhat surprised to see the situation at WTCKL.
"Indeed, what is happening here is quite extraordinary because we only focus on one polling centre. In Indonesia, there are more voting locations and it's not so concentrated," said the Sumatra native.
Dede hoped the leaders elected after this would be more people-friendly, not corrupt and able to increase job opportunities in Indonesia.
Today, a total of 222,945 eligible voters will fulfil their duties at WTCKL for early voting.
Five other voting locations are in Johor Baru with 2,684 voters, Penang (5,375), Kota Kinabalu (2,811), Tawau (20,247) and Kuching (2,988).
Indonesia began its 2024 presidential election campaign on Nov 28, which saw three candidates competing for the leadership election on Feb 14.
They are former military general Prabowo Subianto, former governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo and former governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan, while incumbent president Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is not running again after his two terms in office ended.
Meanwhile, checks by 'Berita Harian' found that only one lane was open at the main entrance of WTCKL and as a result, voters were seen pushing each other to enter the premises.
Voters were also seen trying to squeeze through the barrier gap before being followed by others.
Commenting on the commotion, WTCKL group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim said they only provided the venue and followed the instructions issued by the embassy.
"As for only one lane being opened for voters to enter WTCKL, that was something discussed with the Indonesian Embassy the other day and we are just following what was requested.
"If they queue up and do not rush, the open lane is the same as a queue and they can enter the polling centre in stages.
"However, we will still improve so the voting process can run smoothly," he said.