Pulai, Simpang Jeram by-elections: Better late than never

Mohd Saidi Salleh was relieved that he made it to the SK Seri Melati polling centre in Pulai to cast his vote at 5.59pm.

MUAR: It was a close call for teacher Muhammad Arif Jamali, who almost missed his opportunity to cast his vote in the Simpang Jeram by-election.

Muhammad Arif, 29, who was attending a wedding in Kuala Lumpur earlier on Saturday (Sept 9), arrived at the polling station at SK Simpang Jeram here less than five minutes before closing.

"I left Kuala Lumpur at around noon and sped as much as I could without making any bathroom stops just so that I could make it on time.

"I was nervous throughout the whole journey, especially as there was slow traffic around Seremban.

"I was praying the whole way, and thankfully, I reached the school by about 5.56pm and ran as fast as I could to register and cast my vote," he said. Arif was the last person to vote at the polling station here.

Also almost missing out on his chance to vote was 35-year-old lorry driver Abdul Fatah Abdul Rahman, who had rushed in from Perak.

"I have some furniture to deliver to Setiawan, Perak this morning. As soon as I delivered the goods, I made my way back to Simpang Jeram.

"I did not really speed or rush as I left it all to fate, but thank God, I managed to reach my house at about 5.30pm.

"I then left my lorry at home and took my motorcycle straight to the polling station, which is a few minutes away," said the father of three. Abdul Fatah cast his vote at about 5.50pm.

In Johor Baru, Pulai voter Mohd Saidi Salleh was so caught up with his wedding preparations in Batu Pahat - which is about 118km away - that he was one minute short of missing his chance to vote in the Pulai by-election.

"I went to Batu Pahat in the morning to tend to some matters, including preparing for my wedding reception, which will be held on Sept 23.

"I left at around 4pm, thinking that it usually takes me one and a half hours to reach Johor Baru, but there was a massive traffic jam along Jalan Skudai.

"I was quite anxious throughout the journey and managed to reach the polling centre in SK Seri Melati at 5.59pm and ran towards the gates. Luckily, the policemen still allowed me to enter.

"I felt very relieved the moment I dropped my ballot paper into the box. I was told that I was the last person to vote at the polling centre as it closes at 6pm," said the 36-year-old factory operator.

The Taman Dahlia resident added that his family members had cast their vote much earlier, and he has learned his lesson to do the same in the future.

Chan Wei Jie, 28, however, was less lucky. He arrived at the polling station at 5.59pm but was too late to cast his vote.

"I made it to the school before voting time ended, but by the time I walked to the registration booth, it was already too late.

"I was working earlier and left as soon as I could. I am disappointed as I really tried my best. I will try to come earlier if I can next time," said the technician.