The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- GE13: Johoreans from all walks of life exercised their voting rights
- GE13: Voters receive free balloons from special BN squad
- GE13: Handicap no deterrent to businesswoman
| GE13: Johoreans from all walks of life exercised their voting rights Posted: 06 May 2013 06:32 AM PDT JOHOR BARU: Voters here were eager to exercise their rights in GE13 with some waiting as early as 7am at all 910 voting centres statewide. Despite some minor hiccups, polling in the state got off to a good start at 8am, especially with the good weather reported in the morning. Among some of the problems encountered were the shortage of writing instruments and unstamped ballot papers. State election commission director Rokiah Hanum Ibrahim said despite the minor glitches, the voter turnout was encouraging at 65%. "We hope more voters will exercise their voting rights before the polling centres are closed at 5pm," she added. A total of 1,580,185 voters are eligible to cast their votes in Johor today. The state, which is regarded as Barisan Nasional's bastion, is expected to see a good fight with a total of 174 candidates contesting in 26 parliaments and 56 state seats. Among the "hotspots" include Gelang Patah, Kulai, Segamat, Muar, Bakri, Pulai and Kluang. The Gambir state seat is the only seat with a four cornered fight while there are a total of eight constituencies with three cornered fights. On voters, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was among the early ones to arrive at Dawning Kindergarten in Batu Pahat to cast his votes at 8am. Other VIPs to cast their votes include Deputy Umno president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman who turned up at SMK Sri Muar to cast their votes at 8.10am. Permas Barisan candidate Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin voted at SMK Taman Molek at 9am while Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, who is the candidate for Gelang Patah, and his family casted their votes at SK Abdullah in Sungai Mati at about 11am. Johor DAP chief Dr boo Cheng Hau, who is defending his Skudai state seat, voted at SK Taman Universiti 2 at 10.40am. |
| GE13: Voters receive free balloons from special BN squad Posted: 06 May 2013 06:32 AM PDT JOHOR BARU: Voters who proudly showed their inked index fingers received free balloons from a special Barisan Nasional squad roving around the Pasir Gudang parliamentary area here. Squad leader Ridzuan Yahya, 36, said that the balloons were meant to creat a festive environment and to reward those who came out to vote. "We understand that it is difficult especially for parents with young children as children can be a handful. "The queues are long and some have waited for more than an hour to vote so we thought that it would be nice to put a smile on their faces with some balloons," he said. Ridzuan, who is from the Senibong Barisan branch here said that his team also ensured that they were parked quite a distance from the actual polling centre in accordance with the law. "We don't want people to think that we are campaigning or trying to persuade anyone. "In fact, we only hand out balloons to those who show us their ink stained finger," he said adding that the team hoped to hand out more than 2,000 balloons throughout the day. Our team will be heading to other areas within Pasir Gudang including Permas Jaya, Taman Rinting and Taman Megah Ria. Ridzuan said that his team had also handed out balloons during the last election and it was nice to see people smiling while carrying the balloons. |
| GE13: Handicap no deterrent to businesswoman Posted: 06 May 2013 06:32 AM PDT KULAIJAYA: Despite her handicap, Noralipah Ali was determined to exercise her voting rights for the first time. The 29-year-old businesswoman, who was dressed for the occassion, casted her vote at the SMK Kulai Besar polling station here. "I missed my chance to vote during the last election as I was ignorant to issues of the country. "This time around being a mother of three, I worry for my children's future, and decided to vote," she said. Noralipah, who owns a skincare product online-based business, came to exercise her rights with her husband. "I lost my left leg in an accident when I was three and against all odds have survived and managed to do well for myself," she said adding that she has been using clutches for mobility. Previously she used prosthetic limb to move around, but decided to give it up after getting pregnant with her first child in 2006. She added that she wanted her children to obtain access to all the opportunities in life and felt that casting her vote would make a difference. The part-time model also hoped that other eligible voters will not give excuses for not voting and see the importance in casting the votes. "I learnt that we can determine the future of our children's generation and all voters should understand the necessity of voting," she said. |
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