NIBONG TEBAL: Five childhood friends took the opportunity to fulfil their civic duty by voting together in the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Hana Humaira Yusrizal, Amirah Syakirah Ardeni, Farah Farhana Azhar, Nur Athirah Mohd Zahid, and Nur Afiqa Syamimi Mohd Zaidi, all aged 19, used polling day as a reunion after going their separate ways upon completing their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
Hana Humaira said she sent messages to her friends inviting them to fulfil their responsibility to vote since yesterday.
"Going alone would be a bit awkward, so since we haven't met in a long time, I messaged them and invited them to vote together.
"They agreed, especially since we haven't seen each other for a long time, and this became a perfect opportunity to meet and reminisce about our school days," she said when met outside the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Duri today.
Amirah Syakirah urged first-time voters to come out and vote to choose a representative who can truly represent them.
"This is our responsibility, and even though it's my first time voting, I have researched to ensure I choose the right candidate.
"This morning, I came with excitement and gratitude that everything went smoothly, and I hope young voters, especially first-timers, will also come out and vote," she said.
There are 39,279 eligible voters in this by-election, including 57 police personnel.
The Sungai Bakap by-election is seeing a straight fightt between Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abidin Ismail.
The by-election follows the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.
Nor Zamri, who was also the Nibong Tebal Pas chief representing PN in the Penang State Election, was elected as a representative after defeating PH candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose with a majority of 1,563 votes.