Mahkota By-election: Voters Journey Home To Exercise Voting Rights

KLUANG, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Voters in the Mahkota state assembly by-election made considerable efforts, journeying back from various locations across the country and even from Singapore, to exercise their voting rights. 

Nurakmal Shafiq Norapandi, 28, who works across the causeway, stated that the expense and time were a small sacrifice and also an opportunity to bring his family back for a holiday.

"I took leave two weeks ago because the date of the by-election was announced well in advance. I decided to bring my family along because many relatives are returning. It’s a chance for us to gather, even if briefly.

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"But my primary intention is definitely to vote... for Mahkota," he told reporters after casting his ballot at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Perdana polling centre today.

Nurakmal Shafiq said he left Singapore at 7 pm last night, made a brief stop in Johor Bahru, and arrived in Kluang about 1 am today. 

Also returning to vote were siblings Zahreen Zainal, 48, Mahanun, 39, Mohamad Helmi, 37, Tarmizi Zainal, 29, and Siti Khadijah, 25, who gathered at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampong Melayu polling centre this morning.

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Zahreen, who resides in Puchong, Selangor, said she decided to fulfill her civic duty and take the opportunity to reunite with her siblings, something that is not easily accomplished unless there is a special occasion or family gathering.

The second among nine siblings arrived in Kluang yesterday. She emphasised her desire for a government that supports and focuses on the needs of the people, particularly those with disabilities, as she has been a stroke survivor for the past eight years.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Helmi, who lives in Taman Impian Emas, Skudai, Johor Bahru, was determined to vote despite suffering a knee injury and using a wheelchair.

“I’m excited to return to my hometown to vote, and it feels like a reunion with so many siblings coming back,” he said.

Siti Khadijah, who works in Kuantan, Pahang, shared that she and her husband took leave to vote, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to gather with their extended family, as some relatives traveled from Malacca, Selangor, and other districts in Johor.

“Every vote counts. That’s why we came back to vote,” she said.

-- BERNAMA