NIBONG TEBAL - Although busy with his wedding reception at noon, a bridegroom still fulfilled his duty to vote in the Sungai Bakap state by-election today.
Muhammad Shafiq Mohd Rozei, 29, who runs a transport business, said he rushed to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jawi in Sungai Jawi polling centre here, just 30 minutes before his event started at 1pm.
"Today’s schedule is really packed and my family was already on standby at the reception venue. But since I didn't want to miss the opportunity to vote, I managed to find time to come here before the reception,” he told reporters after voting at the school.
Shafiq, accompanied by his partner Munirah Yahya during the voting process, said this was his third time voting, yet he couldn't hide his excitement about sharing their wedding day with the by-election.
He would remember today forever as it is a significant day for both of them.
"We had planned this event since the beginning of the year, but we only managed to have the akad nikah (solemnisation) last month, and the reception will be held later today. It just so happened that it coincided with the by-election,” he said while adding that voting is an important responsibility in choosing a capable leader.
The by-election is a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Nibong Tebal PAS vice-chief Abidin Ismail, representing Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.
In the Penang state election in August last year, Nor Zamri, who was also Nibong Tebal PAS division chief, defeated PH candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose with a majority of 1,563 votes. - BERNAMA