KUALA LUMPUR – August 12 – As polling centres opened their doors for the state elections today, a flurry of candidates and party leaders were among the early birds, eager to fulfill their civic duty and cast their votes. In various states including Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, political figures were seen lining up alongside other voters as early as 7:30 am, waiting for the polling centres to open. Among the notable early voters was Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who voted at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Puncak Alam 2 for the Jeram state seat. He completed his task by 8:02 am.
In Penang, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, a candidate for the Padang Kota state seat, arrived at Sekolah Kebangsaan Jenis Cina Hu Yew Seah in George Town at 7:55 am and left at 8:15 am. Terengganu Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, contesting the Kijal state seat, arrived at SK Telok Kalong in Kijal with his wife. They were the first to vote at the polling centre. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang was among those who arrived early at Sekolah Kebangsaan Rusila, Marang, to cast their ballots for the Rhu Rendang state seat.
In Negeri Sembilan, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, candidate for the Rantau state seat, arrived at SJKC Chung Hua, Rantau, with his wife Datin Seri Raja Salbiah Tengku Nujumudin at 8:30 am. Caretaker Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, contesting the Sikamat state seat, was at SMK Haji Mohd Redza, Sikamat, by 8:30 am. In Selangor, Lembah Jaya state seat candidate, rapper Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, popularly known as Altimet of Pakatan Harapan, cast his vote at 8:10 am at SMK Seri Keramat.
Caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, also a Sungai Tua state seat candidate, arrived at SJKC Selayang Baru, Batu Caves, at 8:35 am and completed the voting process 10 minutes later. The presence of these candidates and party leaders at the polling centres showcases their commitment to participating in the democratic process and setting an example for the public to exercise their right to vote.
