By-election: Family of five fulfills civic duty together

JOHOR BAHRU - Voting day for the Pulai Parliamentary by-election today held special significance for a family in Taman Bukit Indah here as they got to fulfill their civic duty together.

Despite the drizzling rain, all five family members appeared cheerful and enthusiastic as they arrived at the polling station at SMK Taman Bukit Indah.

Their mother, Liew Yoke Siang, 53, was thrilled because her three children working in Singapore could return to vote and be present together at the polling station this morning.

Yoke Siang said that although her three children, Toh Wan Teng, 27, Toh Wan Bin, 25, and Toh Jun Wei, 20, were still young, they were eager to fulfill their voting responsibilities in the Pulai Parliamentary by-election.

"My husband, Toh Kai Peet, 60, and I came to the polling station with our three children.

"Of course, I am delighted that we can spend time together to cast our votes," she said after casting her vote at Taman Bukit Indah National Secondary School today.

The eldest son, Toh Wan Teng, 27, said it was easy for him to obtain information about the candidate he would choose as the people could get everything through social media.

"I work as a fashion designer in Singapore, and I was very excited to be able to vote with my family today.

"My two younger siblings work in Singapore as well; my brother Wan Bin works as an accountant, and Jun Wei works as a public relations officer, and we rent a place there.

"We planned to take leave to return together. Yesterday, we took a bus back.

"I found out about voting today through social media, and my parents also told us to come back and vote," he said.

Today, the voting process for the Pulai Parliamentary by-election and the Simpang Jeram State Assembly by-election took place at all 61 polling stations.

A total of 294 channels were available at 47 polling stations in the Pulai Parliamentary constituency, while 68 channels were available at 14 polling stations for the Simpang Jeram State Assembly.

A total of 165,509 registered voters cast their ballots for the Pulai Parliamentary constituency and 40,301 voters for the Simpang Jeram State Assembly.

The by-election was held following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was also the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, on July 23.