Disability, old age not hindrance to Ayer Kuning voters

AYER KUNING POLLS | Despite being physically disabled since birth, an Orang Asli woman’s spirit to fulfil her civic duty remained undeterred as she cast her vote in the Ayer Kuning state by-election today.

Dalinah Long, 47, who was born with disabilities affecting both her arms and legs, arrived at SJKC Sungai Kroh at about 7.30am, accompanied by her niece, Trifena Vhiew, 26.

“I’m happy to vote because it’s my right as a citizen. It’s also a way to show that the Orang Asli community is becoming more aware and understands the importance of voting for our future,” she told Bernama at the polling centre.

Another voter with a disability, S Puspanathan, 43, also turned up to cast his ballot at the SK Ayer Kuning polling centre.

Puspanathan, who lost both his legs to a bacterial infection last year, arrived in a wheelchair accompanied by his wife, M Vikkeneswari, 40. He was assisted by Election Commission (EC) officers throughout the voting process to ensure everything went smoothly.

“Even though I am now disabled, I still came to vote. This is my fifth time voting,” he said.

Meanwhile, elderly couple Chai Ko Chong, 85, and his wife Loy Mooi Ying, 82, returned to Ayer Kuning by bus from the federal capital to vote.

“Even though we are living in Kuala Lumpur with our children, the responsibility of voting must still be carried out. There is no excuse for me not to come back to vote,” said Chai.

A total of 19 polling centres with 63 channels opened simultaneously at 8am today for the Ayer Kuning by-election. Today’s voting process involved 31,281 voters.

Eighteen of the polling centres will open until 6 pm, while the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Toh Tandewa Sakti will close earlier at 4 pm.

A Bernama survey at several polling centres found the voting process going smoothly despite the cloudy weather in the early morning.

Some 34.06 percent of Ayer Kuning voters in the by-election have cast their ballots as of noon today to elect a new representative, according to the EC.

- Bernama

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