Malaysian students say US poll campaigns lack oomph

The democratic process there is a much “quieter” affair compared with the general election back home, they said.

With just 48 hours left before Americans go to the polls, Malaysians in the swing state of Ohio and New York, where Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party and Republican Donald J. Trump are based, said election fever there was “very much under wraps”.

They said people rarely talked politics, and that politically-linked voting recruiters were generally avoided. Posters of candidates are also hardly visible.

Ohio State University (OSU) student Illya Azraai Shaharudin said he has been to three Democratic party rallies in the midwestern state, where Clinton and Trump are deadlocked.

This has led to Clinton’s party pouring more funds to win the state, with her politician friends coming to lend a helping hand.

The vast OSU grounds in Columbus has been the venue of at least two Clinton rallies.

For the 300 Malaysian students studying at OSU, the rallies have been a refreshing look at first-world democracy.

Illya Azraai described the election season as much less colourful than Malaysia’s.

“You can’t really tell it’s an election season on campus. Things are pretty normal,” he said.

He likened the air at the rallies to that of enthusiastic family events, with politicians making speeches that pander to the local audience.

Illya Azraai recalled that Clinton made promises in her rallies to make college education affordable for low income families.

Ohio State University Malaysian Students Association Low Kian Boon

OSU Malaysian Students Asso-ciation president Low Kian Boon (pic) said that despite both candidates’ emphasis on Ohio, there was still an element of distrust among locals.

“During the primaries, many supported Democrat Bernie Sanders and (Republican Ohio Governor) John Kasich. After they dropped out, the people didn’t feel comfortable voting for Clinton or Trump. That’s why both are spending lots of money to try and convince the undecided voters,” he said of his take on the US polls.

Low said Republican promoters generally talked on “family and Christian” values while Democrats tempted voters with more “liberal, new values”.

OSU engineering student Muham-mad Nabil Imran said American students avoided openly supporting either candidate.

“You won’t see any pins of Hillary or Trump on their bags or shirts. The only one I have seen was a sticker on a dormitory door. That is as far as they will go,’’ he added.

“They are not open about politics, even with their friends. They are afraid there will be conflicting opinions and it’s not good for relationships.”