The rush home to vote

Homeward bound: People queuing up outside KTM Station KL Sentral as they head back to their hometown to vote today. — ART CHEN/The Star

KUALA TERENGGANU: It was a case of “hurry, hurry home” for many folk who did not want to miss out on marking X on the ballot paper.

“I’ve just finished my shift at a cafe. I’m waiting for the bus for my two-hour journey back home,” said barista Aiman Idham when met at the Kuala Terengganu bus terminal yesterday.

Aiman, 25, was rushing back to his hometown of Besut.

“It’s not a hassle for me as it is my responsibility to vote,” he said.

In the case of freelancer Nursyafina Amira, she spent almost half a day on the bus to get back to her hometown here.

“This is not my first time casting my vote. I usually look forward to elections.

“Besides being able to participate in the democratic process, I am also able to spend time with my family,” said the 29-year-old, who boarded the bus from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Kuala Lumpur.

“It’s just like Hari Raya when my family members who are working or studying out of state would return home,” added Nursyafina.

Tan Yi Li, 21, said he is excited to vote in the state polls as he missed out on the chance to vote in last year’s general election due to health issues.

The intern, who works at a hotel in Putrajaya, said he arrived back home on Tuesday as his employer had given him time off to vote.

“I think it’s important to vote if you want to see a better society,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported on Malaysians working abroad who did not want to miss out on the voting process either.

L. Deveeshwaran, 24, an auxiliary police officer in Singapore, said his love for the country prompted him to travel back to Penang to vote in the Bagan Jermal state constituency.

“It (voting) is my responsibility as a citizen,” he said.

For Mohd Saidun Mohd Fuzi, 29, his return on Aug 7 demonstrates his spirit and sense of responsibility as a Malaysian citizen to choose an elected representative for the Kupang state constituency in Kedah.

“Despite the pricey round-trip ticket of RM4,000 to RM5,000, I prioritised my duty as a citizen and returned to vote,” said Mohd Saidun, who works in Qatar.

“During this period, I will also get the chance to reconnect with family members who also came back to fulfil their duty.”

Shik Hairul Nizam Shik Nor, who has been working in Singapore for six months, said he is looking forward to casting his ballot.

“The company I work for provides flexibility for me to return to vote,” he said, adding that he will be voting in the Temiang state constituency in Negri Sembilan.