Bedridden ex-cop does his duty

SEREMBAN: Retired L/Kpl Azhari Latiff (pic) became paralysed 10 years ago after an accident while riding a motorcycle to work.

The 58-year-old is bedridden and has to rely on his family to provide for him.

Despite the difficulties, Azhari turned up at the Rantau police station to cast his ballot for the early voting yesterday, accompanied by his two sons who had to carry him and pushed him on a wheelchair into the polling centre.

Even Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun was im­pressed by the former policeman’s determination to exercise his constitutional right.

Azhar walked up to Azhari while he was being carried out of a van by his two sons and was seen shaking his hand and thanking the retiree for turning up to vote.

When met later, Azhari said that except for the last general election, he has never missed out on voting in an election.

“I have been waiting impatiently since last night to come and vote today because to me this is my duty to my country.

“Although I am unwell, I psyched myself up and here I am doing what every eligible Malaysian should do,” he added.

Azhari expressed hope that the voters in Rantau would also turn out in full force to cast their ballots.