Busy media personnel among early birds at polling centres

JOHOR BAHRU - Several media personnel who are registered voters in the Pulai parliamentary constituency have also fulfilled their duties today despite the huge task of covering the by-election.

NSTP journalist Izlaily Nurul Ain Hussein, 36, who arrived at the polling centre in Sekolah Agama Bandar at 7.15am, said she chose to vote in the morning because she wanted to focus on covering the election for the rest of the day.

"The death of the incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub has impacted media practitioners because he was known to be media-friendly.

"At first, I was confused about who to vote for as the new people’s representative, but after careful consideration, I made my choice. I hope the winning candidate will be able to do his job well and champion the rights of the community here,” said Izlaily Nurul Ain, who exercised her right for the fifth time.

Johor Media Club president Mohamad Fauzi Ishak, who cast his vote at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kempas, was relieved to have finished voting when the weather was still clear.

"The Election Commission (EC) has ensured a smooth voting process. It is a relief to be able to vote before the rain because now it is raining heavily in Kempas.

"I hope the media personnel in Johor will not forget their responsibility as voters even though they are busy covering the by-election,” he added.

NSTP photographer Nur Aisyah Mazalan said today was a special day for her as she was also celebrating her 35th birthday and seventh anniversary with the organisation.

Despite working, she plans to fulfil her duties as a voter at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Tampoi Indah after the EC chairman’s press conference this morning.

"This is a beautiful memory that I will cherish forever because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Although I am on duty, I am excited to cast my vote on my birthday,” said Nur Aisyah.

Meanwhile, Hisham Abdul Hamid, a sub-editor at Bernama Malay Desk, was among the first voters to arrive at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Foon Yew 2.

He said this was his first time voting at a polling station as he had previously only voted by postal ballot due to his duty during general or state elections.

"I was supposed to be on duty this morning, but I was given leave to go vote,” said Hisham, who works at the agency’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Based on the latest data released by the EC yesterday, 205,810 registered voters will be casting their ballots today, with 165,509 voters in Pulai and 40,301 in Simpang Jeram.

These voters will elect new representatives to replace the late Salahuddin, who died on July 23. - BERNAMA