JELEBU: A 92-year-old man was among the earliest voters to cast his ballot for the Chennah state constituency.
Daud Johan and his wife Besar Md Sahat, 86, arrived at the SMK Teriang Hilir polling centre in Simpang Durian at about 9.50am yesterday, accompanied by several of their children and grandchildren, who were also voting at the same centre.
The retired Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia employee expressed his gratitude and joy at still being able to exercise his responsibility as a voter despite his advanced age.
“I am grateful. Allah has blessed us with longevity, allowing my wife and me to come out and vote.
“We have always voted whenever there is an election because it is our responsibility as citizens, and I have reminded my children and grandchildren to do the same.
“I am no longer as strong as before and need a walking stick, but luckily my children and grandchildren returned and brought us here.
“Although many of my children work in Kuala Lumpur, they still vote here. It is heartwarming whenever they return,” he said after casting his vote yesterday, reported Bernama.
The couple, who are originally from Ramuan China Kechil and Paya Rumput in Melaka respectively, had lived in several states due to work commitments before settling in Negri Sembilan in 1963.
Meanwhile, Bernama assistant editor Erda Khursyiah Basir, the couple’s granddaughter, said that her grandparents still follow current affairs closely and often discuss the latest developments whenever she returns to their hometown.
“Although my grandpa is 92, his memory is still sharp. He continues to watch the news on television despite experiencing some hearing difficulties,” she noted.
“Whenever we discuss something with him, he remembers it and can even remind us of specific dates related to certain matters.
“Grandma is the same. She remains active by growing vegetables in the garden and cannot sit idle. Both of them have been blessed with good health and longevity,” Erda Khursyiah added.
The couple, who married in 1954, have 10 children, 40 grandchildren and more than 30 great-grandchildren.
