Ayer Kuning polls: IKM student nervous yet thrilled about voting for first time

TAPAH - Nineteen-year-old student Ahmad Saufi Mhd Roslan admits to having mixed feelings about fulfilling his responsibility in the Ayer Kuning state by-election at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Lesong here today.

The Sungai Petani Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) Diploma of Furniture Production student, who arrived at the polling station at about 7.30am, said he was initially nervous about voting.

"Since I’m a first-time voter, I was nervous but also excited that I could vote this year. Of course, I wished I could have voted previously but then I could only watch as my family members went out to vote... so, that’s why I also wanted to vote.

"After casting my ballot, I felt a sense of relief and joy at having the right to decide who I wanted (to be our elected representative),” he said.

Saufi, who lives in Kampung Sungai Lesong, said he came to the polling centre with his father, Mhd Roslan Ghazali, 52.

Saufi said he only returned to his hometown on Thursday (April 24) to vote and will go back to the Sungai Petani IKM this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Roslan said his index finger was cut off while working on furniture in 2006, and he had to use his little finger to dip into the ink.

"I am excited to take my son to this polling centre. After lunch, I will send him back to Sungai Petani,” he said.

The Ayer Kuning by-election was called following the death of its incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, on Feb 22 due to a heart attack.

It involves a three-cornered contest between Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek and KS Bawani from Parti Sosialis Malaysia. - BERNAMA