GE15: Autistic youth votes in Santubong

KUCHING: The role of the people in carrying out their responsibilities in the practice of democracy includes all levels of society from all walks of life, including autistic people.

Danial Harish, 20, a person with disability (PwD), like the 1.9 million voters in Sarawak also voted today.

His father Mahmud Sabli said Danial was excited to vote for the first time at the Dewan Serbaguna Kapsel in Kampung Panglima Seman Lama which was one of the voting centres for the Santubong Parliament.

"We arrived as early as 7am, because I brought my autistic son, and we did not want to disturb the voting process, so I brought him a little early.

"He is the happy-go-lucky type when he meets people and he will become hyperactive, that's why we came earlier.

"Even so, what is important is that we have carried out our responsibilities as Malaysians," he said when met after casting his vote on Saturday.

He said even though there was confusion during the casting of vote, it was the first experience for new voters, especially PwDs.

"We already know that there are three voting channels here and the third one is for the new voters.

"When we asked the Election Commission, they informed that there was also a lane for PwDs," he added.

Asked about Danial's preparations as a new voter, Mahmud said he did not put much pressure on his son.

Instead, he said this was about raising awareness about the importance of people exercising their right to go out to vote.

The Santubong Parliament has 79,232 registered voters for the 15th General Election (GE-15).

The seat witnessed a three-cornered fight between Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (GPS), Affendi Jeman (Independent) and Mohamad Zen Peli (Pakatan Harapan). - AWANI