HULU SELANGOR, May 11 — A couple in their 60s travelled for nearly 200km today from Kuala Kangsar, Perak, to fulfil their responsibilities as voters for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election.
Private sector retiree Abdul Rahim Bidin, 67, and his wife, Noraini Mansor, 65, started their journey as early as 5am and the journey took them more than two hours to reach the polling station.
“After voting, I will drive home…we came down here because voting is our responsibility. I would drive back and forth to vote in every election, and we have been doing it for the past 10 years,” he told the press at the SJK(C) Khing Ming voting centre today.
Abdul Rahim came to the polling station using a cane, where he and Noraini cast their ballot papers at the same polling station.
Meanwhile, another voter, Rodznah Bakar, 61, did not want to miss the opportunity to fulfil her responsibilities and came with her husband to the polling centre as early as 7am despite suffering from pain in her legs and using a wheelchair.
She cast her vote at SMK Kuala Kubu Baharu.
“My husband and I went out as early as 7am even though the location of the polling station is close to the house in Taman Pesara. We booked a rental car last night to take us to the polling station since my husband and I cannot drive ourselves.
“I would like to thank the Election Commission (EC) staff who helped make it easier for us to vote today,” Rodznah said.
Meanwhile, according to the EC, turnout for the by-election was 18.05 percent as of 10am, and the voting process took place in good weather conditions.
Today’s by-election sees a four-cornered clash between Pang Sock Tao (Pakatan Harapan), Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), and Nyau Ke Xin (Independent).
It is being held following the death of its state assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong on March 21 due to cancer.
A total of 39,269 voters are eligible to cast their ballots today.
— Bernama
