DESPITE having to use a wheelchair to get around and the threat of Covid-19, nonagenarian M. Renggaiyah, the oldest voter in the Slim state constituency, was determined to fulfil his responsibility in today’s by-election.

Renggaiyah, 96, who had served under the Malayan Home Guard unit against the communist during Emergency, arrived at the Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil Trolak polling station in Trolak town at about 8.30am, accompanied by his adopted son Mohd Riduan Jalil, 57.

Upon arrival at the polling station, Renggaiyah went through a body temperature check at the screening counter in compliance with standard operating procedure set by the Election Commission to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“I have never abandoned the responsibility of voting and as far as I can remember, I have voted 15 times, including today,” he said after casting his vote.

Despite living near the polling station, Renggaiyah woke up at 5.30am because he was too excited.

The Slim state by-election witnesses a three-cornered contest between Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohd Zaidi Aziz, and two independent candidates, lawyer Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi and former teacher S. Santharasekaran.

Meanwhile, three candidates contesting in the by-election have been seen surveying the voting process. Also spotted are UMNO vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob and secretary-general Seri Ahmad Maslan. – Bernama, August 29, 2020.