Negeri Sembilan commuters send election message
PETALING JAYA: For thousands of Negeri Sembilan residents, the daily commute to the Klang Valley has become more than a routine – it is a reminder of the state’s struggle to provide enough high-paying jobs.
As campaigning enters its final stretch ahead of the state election, many commuters say the next administration must do more than improve roads and rail links.
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They want quality employment closer to home so that they no longer have to sacrifice hours each day travelling to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to earn a decent living.
Every weekday before dawn thousands board trains or drive to the Klang Valley, returning home only after dark in exchange for better salaries while enjoying Negeri Sembilan’s lower cost of living.
Nur Aishah Mohd Radzi, 32, who commutes from Seremban to Kuala Lumpur five days a week, said the journey has become an unavoidable part of her working life.
“I leave home before 6am to catch the train. By the time I get back, it is already evening.
“Sometimes I only reach home around 9pm. It is exhausting but most of the betterpaying jobs are still in Kuala Lumpur.”
Muhammad Firdaus, 28, an IT executive from Paroi, said his daily drive to Kuala Lumpur can take more than three hours depending on traffic.
“It would be a lie to say it is not tiring but I have to do what I need to do to earn a living.
“It is not just about fuel or toll costs. It is the time you lose with your family. Sometimes everyone is already asleep by the time I get home, and I leave for work before they even wake up.”
Firdaus said all four of his household members travel to the Klang Valley for work.
“My parents still work in Kuala Lumpur, so they drive there every day, while my older brother usually takes the KTM. We hardly get to spend time together except on weekends.
“We have thought about moving to KL because all of us work there. But when we compare housing prices with the peace and quality of life here, we would rather stay.”
For Noor Afiq, 36, returning to Seremban two years ago after spending six years in Shah Alam was largely driven by the dream of owning a home.
“Houses in the Klang Valley were simply beyond my budget.”
Chong Wei Jian, 30, said Negeri Sembilan has the potential to attract more technology companies and high-value industries, particularly around Seremban and Nilai.
“The infrastructure is improving but what we need now are quality jobs. If companies can offer salaries comparable to those in Kuala Lumpur, many people would gladly stop commuting.”
He said the state’s economic strategy should focus not only on attracting investment but also on creating high-skilled jobs.
While improved rail services and better highway connectivity have made commuting between Negeri Sembilan and the Klang Valley easier than before, many believe transport alone is not the answer.
