AYER KUNING BY-ELECTION: DISABILITY NOT A HINDRANCE FOR ORANG ASLI WOMAN TO FULFIL CIVIC DUTY

TAPAH, April 26 (Bernama) -- Despite being physically disabled since birth, an Orang Asli woman’s spirit to fulfil her civic duty remained undeterred as she cast her vote in the Ayer Kuning state by-election today.

Dalinah Long, 47, who was born with disabilities affecting both her arms and legs, arrived at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Sungai Kroh at about 7.30 am, accompanied by her niece, Trifena Vhiew Teck Seng, 26.

“I’m happy to vote because it’s my right as a citizen. It’s also a way to show that the Orang Asli community is becoming more aware and understands the importance of voting for our future,” she told Bernama at the polling centre.

Another voter with a disability, S. Puspanathan, 43, also turned up to cast his ballot at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Ayer Kuning polling centre.

Puspanathan, who lost both his legs to a bacterial infection last year, arrived in a wheelchair accompanied by his wife, M. Vikkeneswari, 40. He was assisted by Election Commission (EC) officers throughout the voting process to ensure everything went smoothly.

“Even though I am now disabled, I still came to vote. This is my fifth time voting,” he said.

Meanwhile, elderly couple Chai Ko Chong, 85, and his wife Loy Mooi Ying, 82, returned to Air Kuning by bus from the federal capital to fulfil their responsibility to elect a new representative in the State Assembly for the constituency.

“Even though we are living in Kuala Lumpur with our children, the responsibility of voting must still be carried out. There is no excuse for me not to come back to vote,” said Chai.

 A total of 19 polling centres with 63 channels opened simultaneously at 8 am today for the Ayer Kuning by-election. Today’s voting process involved 31,281 voters.

-- BERNAMA