Fuss-free polls a sign of maturity, says Idris
SUNGAI BESAR: Only 45 percent of the 42,836 registered voters here had cast their vote by noon today in a parliamentary by-election noted for its calm and serene atmosphere.
Party workers and the candidates themselves were seen exercising restraint and being friendly. Not a lot was happening when FMT visited a few polling centres around Sungai Besar and Sekincan.
Visiting Malacca chief minister Idris Haron described the friendliness as a sign of a mature democracy.
“Normally in by-elections these ‘pondok panas’ will be full of commotion as people try to woo voters. But here, like during the Sarawak state elections, everything is very quiet,” he said after visiting Parit 9 voting centre today.
Barisan Nasional candidate, Sungai Panjang state assemblyman Budiman Mohd Zohdi, was the only one of the three candidates to vote. He came with his parents, Mohamad Zohdi Abdullah, 72, and Fatona Saimin, 62, to vote at Sungai Limau polling centre at 8.30am.
Amanah candidate Azhar Abdul Shukur was accompanied by his mother, Dzan Mansor, 73, at the polling centre in Sungai Haji Dorani around noon. Dzan told reporters that she hoped God would bless Azhar and gave him victory today.
“I bless him and hopes he wins. It is now in the hands of Allah,” she said when met outside the SK Sungai Haji Dorani school.
Azhar shook hands with voters as he left the centre with his mother and wife at about 12.15pm.
While reporters trying to track down PAS candidate Abd Rani Osman, who is Meru state assemblyman, encountered PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who was confident that the party would do well.
He believed PAS would obtain support from Chinese voters, although he lamented that the party had only a few helpers from the PAS Supporters Wing, which comprises non-Muslims.
Tuan Ibrahim also thanked former Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim for his support. Khalid was ousted after a power struggle in his former party, PKR, during which he received the backing of several PAS members of his executive council.
SEE ALSO:
Smooth polling, turnout could top 75%
A family affair as Mastura goes to vote
Post a Comment