Kelantan residents apply for leave, return home early to vote
KUALA TERENGGANU - Kelantanese voters are showing their voting spirit, as most have applied for annual leave to return home and perform their responsibilities for the state elections on Saturday.
Wan Muhammad Azaharhafiz Wan Yazid, 37, who served as a fireman in Rompin, Pahang said he drove over seven hours to return and vote in Pasir Mas, Kelantan.
“I stopped for a rest near the Gemuruh Toll Plaza, Kuala Terengganu before continuing the trip to Pasir Mas. Its an exciting feeling for me because its the first time I have returned home to vote.
“Previously I would vote through postal votes, now I am taking annual leave because I want to experience voting back in my hometown,” he said when met by Sinar near the Gemuruh Toll Plaza here on Friday.
Yahya Mat Seman, 30, who was working in Pekan, Pahang shared the same sentiment, taking annual leave to return to Jeli, Kelantan because he realised his responsibilities in contributing towards the formation of a better state government.
“This is a first time for me as previously I had voted through postal votes. I decided to take an annual leave for this election.
“It’s fun and exciting as I have the opportunity to return and vote,” he said.
Civil servant, Zaliha Othman, 49, said she wanted to return to vote in Tanah Merah, Kelantan for the second time after the 15th general election (GE15) last year.
“This was the second time I returned to vote. My family and I left in the morning from Simpang Renggam, Johor to avoid the congestion on the highway.
“I was touched when my brother Rosdi Othman from Serdang, Selangor was willing to fetch our mother and I from Simpang Renggam to return and vote in Tanah Merah.
“We felt excited to return and vote. We took a short rest near the Gemuruh Toll Plaza for 15 to 20 minutes before continuing our trip,” she said.
Sinar monitored the area near the Gemuruh Toll Plaza exit here from 4pm and found traffic was smooth despite the additional vehicles.
Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan will go to the polls tomorrow (Aug 12)
The Kuala Terengganu Parliament By-Election would also be held simultaneously with the state elections.
