MELAKA: A 22-year-old factory worker went straight to the polling station after completing his night shift to cast his ballot for the first time in the Melaka election today.
Despite having little time to rest, Muhammad Fakhrul Naim Umar joined his two younger siblings and their mother at SK Bertam Ulu about 10am.
He said he had finished work about 7am but did not want to miss the opportunity to fulfil his responsibility as a voter, especially as his two younger siblings were also voting.
Fakhrul said the experience was meaningful as he hoped the choices made by voters would contribute to a better economic situation in the future.
“My hope is that those entrusted with the mandate to serve as elected representatives will work to improve the current economic situation,” he said when met at the polling centre today.
His younger brother, Muhammad Farish Nazhan, 18, said he had followed the candidates’ campaigns and updates on social media, including TikTok, before deciding who to vote for.
He said he was also familiar with some candidates through the assistance they had provided to his family, including food aid when he was still a student.
“I will certainly choose those who have helped my family before, and I will reflect my appreciation for that assistance through my vote,” he said.
Their sister, Bibi Farhana Najwa, 21, said she was excited about voting for the first time and that the family had chosen to go to the polling station in the morning to avoid crowds around noon and in the afternoon.
“I also work, so having the whole family come out to vote together makes the occasion lively. It is a new experience for the three of us who are voting for the first time,” she said.
Meanwhile, first-time polling worker Muhd Aminuddin Mohd Shukri, 21, said he was serving as a polling clerk and usher at SK Bertam Ulu after applying for the role online in August.
The Masjid Tanah Community College student, who is pursuing a Certificate in Design Technology, said he had cast his ballot through a postal vote to enable him to carry out his duties on polling day.
A voter in the Sungai Udang state constituency, he said the experience gave him an opportunity to observe the voting process first-hand and interact with voters from various backgrounds.
Another polling worker, Muhammad Remmy Shah, 21, who works at a hotel and votes in the Pantai Kundor state constituency, took leave from work today to help ensure the voting process ran smoothly.
He said he also wanted to gain experience, adding that the atmosphere was something people did not get to experience every day, as elections were held only once every four to five years.
“Besides gaining experience, we also get to witness the spirit of unity when people of different races come out to vote and help one another, including by showing voters the way,” he said.