KOTA KINABALU, Nov. 27 -- Youth voters are widely seen as one of the most influential blocs in Sabah's state election, but a number of young Sabahans - both in and out of the state - will not be casting their ballots on Saturday.

For 28-year-old Nick, the disappointment is especially bitter.

After waiting most of his life to obtain Malaysian citizenship, he will now be waiting again to cast his vote.

The son of a Kadazan mother and British father, Nick was born in the UK but grew up in Sabah.

He attended primary and secondary school here and spent all but four years in his mother's hometown.

He willingly gave up his British citizenship in 2023 to become Malaysian, finally received his MyKad, and had been looking forward to voting in ...