MELAKA: Being wheelchair-bound did not stop 70-year-old Yusuf Taib from fulfilling his responsibility as a voter in the Melaka election today.
For him, age and physical limitations were no excuse to miss the opportunity to cast his ballot and have a say in choosing the state’s next government.
Yusuf, who has been voting since before Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad first became prime minister in 1981, said his enthusiasm for exercising his democratic right had never faded.
“I have been voting since before Mahathir became prime minister.
“The spirit to come out and vote is still there, regardless of who comes into power or who leaves,” he said after casting his ballot at SK Jalan Datuk Palembang.
The school is one of the polling centres for the Bukit Katil state constituency.
Yusuf said he had been using a wheelchair for the past 15 years after a fall injured his hip, leaving him unable to walk independently.
Although he can still stand for short periods, he said his condition had made it difficult for him to move around without assistance.
An early riser, Yusuf said he had been awake since 5am to perform his morning prayers before leaving home at about 6.30am.
“I usually wake up at 5am and leave the house by 6.30am, or 7am at the latest.
“I enjoy sitting by the roadside and watching cars pass by,” he said with a laugh.
Despite his age, Yusuf said the responsibility of choosing the state’s leadership should not be taken lightly, particularly by younger voters.
However, he believed that the decision to vote, and whom to support, should ultimately rest with each individual.
“If you want to choose your leaders, then come out and vote. Choose whoever you prefer.
“It is entirely up to each individual. We cannot force anyone to vote for one person or another,” he said.
Asked about his hopes for the election outcome, Yusuf declined to speculate on which party would emerge victorious.
Instead, he expressed a simple wish for the next state administration: to govern fairly and look after the welfare of the people, regardless of their political affiliations.
In Bukit Katil, incumbent Adly Zahari of Pakatan Harapan is facing Pas candidate Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif, Bersama candidate Dr Aliza Che Amran and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin.