MELAKA: Back pain and a fading memory could not keep 89-year-old Tey Teang away from the ballot box, as she turned up to vote with her daughter and granddaughter.
She was accompanied by her daughter Lee Po Ngo, 61, and granddaughter Susan Lim, 37, at SJK(C) Yu Hwa in Pengkalan Batu, where the family had queued even before polling began at 8am.
“Every vote can make a difference.
“I cannot remember how many times I have voted, but I will come out to vote every time because it is my responsibility.”
Tey was among the elderly voters assisted by Election Commission (EC) personnel at the polling centre.
“My back hurts, but that didn’t stop me. The EC personnel also treated me well,” she said.
Lim said the family decided to arrive early because they were concerned about rain in the afternoon.
“We came early because we were worried it might rain later.
“I hope my grandmother stays healthy and lives a long life.
“Regardless of who wins, I hope the elected representative will prioritise the welfare of local residents,” she said.
Lee, who was shy about being interviewed, said she was excited to cast her ballot.
Meanwhile, in Duyong, university student Ashira Diana Mohd Hairul spent RM700 on a return ticket from Sarawak so she could cast her ballot for the first time.
The 20-year-old is a first-year social sciences student at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
“My parents told me to wake up early to avoid any delays going to the polling station,” said Ashira, who was up at 6.30am.
She said many of her friends were also first-time voters.
Melaka’s Gen Z voters first went to the polls at the 2022 general election, after Undi18 lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and introduced automatic voter registration.
Ashira was still too young to vote then.
Asked what she hoped for from Duyong’s elected representative, Ashira said she wanted more young people to take part in programmes in the area.
“I want to see Duyong develop further, with more young people taking part in the various programmes and activities offered here.”
She also had a word for others her age.
“Do not wait until your mothers get angry and tell you to go and vote.”
