KUALA LUMPUR: Caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was in high spirits when he arrived at the SJK(C) Selayang Baru to cast his vote for the Selangor state election.
Arriving on a light blue Vespa with registration UPM 16, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Masdiana Muhamad, they journeyed from their residence on Jalan Selayang Baru, just 10 minutes away.
Their votes were directed towards the Taman Templer constituency.
Asked how he was feeling, Amirudin, who is defending the Sungai Tua state seat said:"I am okay. Its time to vote."
Amirudin, also the Selangor Pakatan Harapan chairman, shared his optimism, stating that he is 70 to 80 per cent confident that the coalition, alongside their Barisan Nasional partner, will succeed in forming the state government.
"I am hoping for the number of votes to increase, especially in Malay areas, and we will be able to secure 40 to 41 constituency seats. This means we will achieve more than a two-thirds majority.
"We pray to Allah that victory will be on our side. We have campaigned for the past 13 days and today, the people will determine who they want as their government in Selangor for the next five years."
On talks by political analysts that it would be difficult for PH to retain power if non-Malays do not vote, Amirudin said they had worked hard for the past month to push people to go the ballots and hoped the sentiment would change.
Amirudin said he plans to navigate polling stations within the Sungai Tua constituency using his Vespa due to its convenience in traffic.
He added he was not allowed to visit polling stations in other constituencies in the state and if he wanted, he could only look over the fence.
"I want Selangor folk to come out and vote. So far, just shortly after the polling station opened, many people have come out to vote.
"I hope more will go to polling stations earlier as we worry there will be uncertain weather conditions later on," said Amirudin.
Amirudin is up against Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin and independent Suman Gopal.
Muhammad Hanif, a first time candidate from PN's Pas, will vote at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kebun Baharu in Teluk Panglima Garang, Kuala Langat.