DESPITE the calamity facing them, flood victims at the temporary relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Baharu Lanjut, in Sepang, were still eager to fulfil their responsibilities in the general election (GE), today.

Fatimah Ibrahim, 47, from Kampung Rancangan Tanah Belia, in Sepang, was evacuated to the shelter with her family members yesterday after their home was flooded the day before.

When met after casting her ballot at SK Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi this morning, Fatimah said that her responsibilities as a Malaysian must be fulfilled as long as she is able.

“In our village, each contesting political party provides transport to the polling centre. I am here with my brothers and sisters using our own vehicles, and at 7.30am we are ready to go to vote and get it done.”

“Alhamdulillah, assistance in the relief shelter is sufficient; they make things easier for us,” said Fatimah, who was placed at the shelter with her two younger sisters Ainon and Faridah, and older sister Zaharah, when met by reporters.

Harith Danial Fakri Zaki, 20, is alone in the shelter after his parents decided to rent a nearby homestay due to health problems.

“This is the second time I’m staying at a temporary shelter since last December, this time I was more surprised because I didn’t expect the flood to occur but I still wanted to go out to vote, and my father will take me (to the polling centre) this afternoon,” said the eldest of two siblings.

He said, as a young voter, he chose a candidate with integrity who is able to carry out his responsibilities and help those in trouble.

There was drizzle before the polling station opened, but it stopped at about 9.15am and the situation was calm and under control.

A check at the shelter SK Kampung Baharu Lanjut found that most flood victims had brought their own vehicles to their respective polling stations.

SK Kampung Baharu Lanjut is one of four shelters that opened in Sepang two days ago to house about 120 families, in addition to Dewan Orang Ramai Dengkil, Taman Gemilang, Sekolah Rendah Agama Dato Ahmad Razali and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dengkil.

The Sepang parliamentary seat witnessed an eight-way fight involving Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate, Rina Mohd Harun Rina; Anuar Basiran (Barisan Nasional), Raj Munni @ Aiman Athirah Sabu (Pakatan Harapan), Che Asmah Ibrahim (Pejuang), Mohd Daud Leong Abdullah (Parti Utama Rakyat); R. Nageswaran (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), and two independent candidates, Mohd Syahrul Amri Mat Sari and M. Muneswaran. – Bernama, November 19, 2022.