KUALA KUBU BAHARU: The scorching heat did not deter voters of Kuala Kubu Baharu from fulfilling their civic duty at the polling stations, which opened their doors at 8am today.
Even as temperatures hit 33°C at noon, people continued to stream in to cast their ballots for the state by-election, which was called due to the death of incumbent assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong, 58, on March 21 from cancer.
Rosyatim Dalib, 59, said he was determined to participate in the electoral process despite the oppressive weather, citing it as an integral part of his civic responsibility.
"No matter if it's hot or raining, I will still come to vote because this is our responsibility here. As voters, we want to ensure that our chosen candidate is selected and can develop our area."
Nor Farhana Muhamad Don, 34, said she came all the way from Shah Alam because for her, one vote matters in making a change. She also saw it as her duty as her vote would help bring development to her town of origin.
"This is my responsibility as a citizen. Even one vote will have an impact in the by-election," she said.
Farhana, who is in her fourth month of pregnancy, added that she hoped her hometown would see more developments in future.
"I am hoping for better development here, and I myself have grown up here for over 30 years.
"My father also asked all my siblings to come back to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens. My brother in Klang also had to come back; my father called to ask where he was."
Shazana Sabri, 37, a government servant at Putrajaya, said she was concerned about the hot weather, but the call of duty was stronger and she decided to turn up at the polling centre.
"Although I initially didn't want to come, I thought about my responsibility, so I just came today. I came back from Putrajaya this morning and stopped by my parents' house here. I came here with my parents to cast our ballots together."
Voters at Kuala Kubu Baharu started casting their votes as early as 8am today. The by-election sees a four-cornered fight between Pang Sock Tao (Pakatan Harapan), Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), and Nyau Ke Xin (independent).