Age and work no barrier for these voters

Tung: Came back to Bertam Valley from Kuala Lumpur to fulfil her responsibility.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Get up, rise and shine, vote.

The fresh morning air in Bertam Valley led to many voters arriving early to cast their ballot.

“I asked my colleague to cover my shift for another three hours,” said security guard Bah Senin Bah Guning, who was the first to arrive at the gates of SJK(C) Bertam Valley. It was just 7.20am then.

Bah Senin, 48, from Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Kabuk, said he was rushing as he was late for work, which starts at 7am, and had sought his colleague’s help.

“I feel quite bad that he has to work extra hours for me. He has been working since last night,” he said.

But for Bah Senin, it was crucial that he cast his vote: “I want the elected representative to resolve the orang asli issues here.”

Another voter who came early was Tung Kam Ling, 70, who said she came back from Kuala Lumpur to fulfil her duty.

Tung, a retiree, said her home was in the old Bertam village here.

Patiently waiting: Orang asli voters lining up to cast their votes at SK Tanjung Gahai in Cameron Highlands. — Bernama   

“I came back here with a friend’s daughter at 8pm last night. She is voting in Ringlet. Right after casting my vote, I will go back to Kuala Lumpur with a relative,” she added.

Lee Ooi, 93, also from Bertam Valley, arrived at the polling centre in a wheelchair.

Lee, who carried a walking cane, said she had not wanted to vote at first due to her health.

“I didn’t sleep well and mobility is also an issue. My family insisted that I vote,” she said, adding that her grandchild sent her to the polling station to help her exercise her right.

“I can’t remember how many times I have voted in elections. I just wish all the best to the people,” she added.

Independent candidate Wong Seng Yee, 40, also cast his ballot at the school.

“I am happy to have voted after two weeks of campaigning.

“Throughout the campaign, I have said what I wanted on issues here and my plans for Cameron Highlands,” Wong added.

In Lipis, Bernama reported on Mat Intan Adam, 77, who has voted in all 13 general elections except the first one in 1959.

The rubber tapper and his wife Latipah Ibrahim, 61, were accompanied by six of their eight children to perform their civic duty at SK Tanjung Gahai here.

The six children who returned to their hometown to vote were Mohamad Ali Hana­piah, 42, Mohamad Ghazali, 40, Mohamad Idris, 38, Mohamad Ismail, 37, Siti Aishah, 26 and Siti Khatijah, 23.

The other two – Mohamad Isuyadi, 35, and Mohamad Tarmimi, 30, – could not join them as they were working in Kuala Lumpur and Pengerang, Johor, respectively.

“I’m very happy that the children are here with me,” said Mat Intan.

“We have to fulfil our duty because this will determine the future of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”