Pulai, Simpang Jeram by-elections: Voters working in Singapore brave downpour to cast ballots

JOHOR BARU: Heavy downpour was not an obstacle for a voter working in Singapore to fulfil his responsibilities to vote for the Pulai Parliamentary by-election on Saturday (Sept 9).

C. Tamill, 57, an engineer at a steel factory in the republic, rushed to the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Taman Bukit Indah polling station, here, to cast his ballot paper as he had to start working at 2pm.

"I finished voting at 9am this morning, I didn't expect it to rain heavily, and I forgot to bring my raincoat along.

"Usually, on Saturdays and Sundays, I would work overtime. That’s why I got ready early in the morning and went to vote first before going to work this afternoon. Voting is an obligation,” said the resident of Taman Nusa Bestari to Bernama when met at the polling station.

The father of two said that he has been working in Singapore for over 10 years and commuting to the republic by riding a motorcycle and hoped that the elected representatives would be able to carry out the trust and responsibility given to them by the voters.

Meanwhile, a financial officer at a private company in Singapore, Tan Hui Huan, 45, said she had no problem voting today as Saturday and Sunday were her days off.

"I have been working in Singapore for over 20 years and throughout that period, I have never missed voting. Today it rained heavily, and I had to bring my mother along to vote. Luckily, the Election Commission staff helped and escorted us inside,” she said.

The mother of four also expressed hope that the elected representatives can help improve the economy of the community there.

Septuagenarian Na Ah Moy who is in a wheelchair due to diabetes, also did not miss the opportunity to cast her ballot as early as 9 am today.

"I have never missed voting, only this time I can't walk because my left leg was amputated last year due to diabetes,” said Na, 70, adding that she was determined to walk in the next election with the help of a walking device.

Earlier, a Bernama survey found that despite heavy rain there was a steady turnout of voters at the largest polling station in the Pulai Parliament, with the EC staff acting quickly, armed with umbrellas escorting the voters inside the polling centre.- Bernama