VOTERS who have to travel all the way to Cameron Highlands to vote in the by-election says it is their right and responsibility to cast their votes.

Andrew Choong, 51, who now lives in Puchong, said that although travelling was a hassle, it was his responsibility to cast his vote and make sure the nation has good governance.

“It (travelling) is a hassle but we have to come because it’s our responsibility,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

With Chinese New Year around the corner, Andrew said he didn’t mind the extra costs incurred travelling for the by-election.

“Yes. It costs more but I don’t mind. As a Malaysian, this is my responsibility,” Andrew said.

M. Meghan, who works in Kuala Lumpur, said he took the bus to get back and vote.

“I think this is my responsibility as a citizen to vote in every elections,” he said.

He said that by-elections are unavoidable and unpredictable.

“Things like this happen in every election. Someone will pass away, results will be nullified and more, but as responsible citizens we have to come and vote.

“That is why I took the trouble to get back and cast my vote,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Voters at SK Betau included Nizan Usop, 30, from Kg Sarang, who said he came back to vote as it was the responsibility of anyone registered in an area holding a by-election.

The factory worker said he had to request a day off to come back from Shah Alam.

“I rode my bike all the way from Shah Alam to support Barisan Nasional. This by-election is taking place nine months after the last election, but I will come back and vote regardless,” he said.

Jeffendy Abu, 30, from Kg Sarang, is Nizan’s childhood friend, who works as a market trader in Bidor. He said he managed to get two days off work as he wanted to make his vote count.

“I got two days off but I only reached around 5pm yesterday. After this, I will go straight back, as I only came to make my vote count in this election,” Jeffendy said.

A total of 31,639 voters in Cameron Highlands are eligible to choose their new representative in Parliament in by-election called after a court nullified the results of the 14th general election over evidence of vote-buying.

As of 1pm, the Election Commission said 60% of voters in Cameron Highlands have cast their ballots.

Voters will have to choose between M. Manogaran of Pakatan Harapan, Ramli Mohd Noor of BN and two independents, Wong Seng Yee, and Sallehudin Ab Talib. – January 26, 2019.