KUCHING, Dec 18: There was a slow turnout of voters for the N14 Batu Kawah constituency at SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tapang polling centre this morning, but voters said they felt comfortable and praised the smooth polling process.
Incumbent Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian arrived at the polling centre with his wife Datin Sri Enn Ong at 11.24am.
After registering at the polling centre, both went to polling channel three to cast their votes, and the whole process only took less than 10 minutes before leaving the polling centre at 11.34am.
Dr Sim’s mother, Puan Sri Datin Amar Lim Su Kheng, who is 79 years old, arrived at 11am to cast her vote.
After her arrival, she was accompanied by an EC officer to assist her throughout the whole process.
She has previously voted in N10 Pending but made the change to N14 Batu Kawah to support family members.
Meanwhile, Sharifah Jijah Wan Drahman, 51, also expressed her relief after fulfilling her responsibility to vote.
Sharifah said that she was a bit nervous initially because she could not decide who to vote for and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is my fourth time voting, and honestly, I am hoping that I voted for the right person. Who is it? Let it be a secret,” she said.
Another voter, 65-year-old Awang Tengah Awang Damit, said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) outlined by the Election Commission (EC) for polling day helped make casting his vote a good experience.
“I feel that the polling process this time is better compared to the previous one where we have to line up in a crowded place,” he said.
Awang Tengah, a former police officer, also said that he went to the polling centre with his family.
“Although I do not feel well, I am happy I am still able to go out to cast my vote,” he said.
A total of 3,347 registered voters in N14 Batu Kawah are expected to come out to cast their votes at the SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tapang polling centre.
As of 1pm today, EC informed that voter turnout is at 44 per cent throughout the State. ― DayakDaily
