KOTA KINABALU: Despite facing physical constraints and infirmities, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (OKU) did not miss the opportunity to fulfil their civic duty in the 17th Sabah State Election.
As early as 7.30am Saturday (Nov 29), the polling centres were filled with veteran voters who arrived early with their family members to avoid congestion.
Among those who arrived early was Bainih Kaluk, 74, a wheelchair user who was helped by Election Commission officers to enter the voting channel at SK Serusup in Tuaran.
Rauzaimie Jamlin, 24, who has learning disabilities, was accompanied to the same polling centre by his father, Jamlin Saiteh.
Jamlin, 64, a retiree from Kampung Santing, said this was the second time he had accompanied his son to carry out his duties after the 15th General Election in 2022.
He said he always told his son to fulfil his responsibility as a voter.
"I brought him because of the duty of voting, because he is a young person. (Voting) is the voice of the people and this is our responsibility, so it must be fulfilled," he said when met at the polling centre.
In PAPAR, about 30km from here, Yusri Yunos, 48, left home at 5.30am to carry out his civic duty at the SK Kawang polling centre.
"I came early because I wanted to be the first to vote here. I arrived at 6am," he said, hoping that the state government could be formed as soon as possible.
"My hope is that we can immediately form a government. No more delays, no more time wasting," he said.
Kinarut Health Clinic worker Halimah Tamin, 51, also hopes that the election results this time will lead to the formation of a strong government that is capable of administering the state well. – Bernama
