BATU PAHAT: A 12-hour journey spanning hundreds of kilometres was no obstacle for first-time voter Aina Nazirah Rahmat, who returned from Perlis to Johor to cast her ballot in the Johor state election on Saturday (July 11).
The 21-year-old Diploma in Information Technology student at Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Polytechnic in Arau said she remained determined to vote despite having to alter her travel plans after express bus tickets from Arau to Batu Pahat were sold out.
Instead, she bought a ticket to Melaka, where her brother picked her up before continuing the journey to Batu Pahat.
"I was determined to return to Johor and vote even though the direct bus tickets to Batu Pahat were sold out. I managed to get a ticket to Melaka instead, and my brother picked me up there before we travelled home," she told Bernama.
After arriving at her hometown in Parit Sulong at about 8am, Aina Nazirah wasted no time heading to the polling centre at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Tongkang Pechah to cast her vote for the Parit Yaani state constituency.
She said neither the long journey nor the heavy rain at the polling centre dampened her enthusiasm to fulfil her responsibility.
"I was excited to vote for the candidate I believe can serve the people well.
"I am relieved that I made it home to vote. As a first-time voter, this is a meaningful experience that I will cherish forever," she said.
A total of 172 candidates are contesting the 56 seats in the Johor state election on Saturday.- Bernama
