PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on eligible voters to fulfil their duty to vote in the state elections.

“I urged voters to fulfil their (voting) duty. The campaign is over and now we all have to close our ranks.

“The voting process has been peaceful so far.

“I hope everyone goes out early. Do not delay your responsibility to cast your votes,” he told reporters after casting his vote at the SK Seri Penanti polling centre in Penang.

He arrived at the centre at 9.30am with his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Caretaker chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is Padang Kota candidate, arrived at the SJKC Hu Yew Seah polling centre in George Town at 7.55am and left at 8.15am.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad cast his vote for the Anak Bukit seat in Kedah at SK Titi Gajah at 9.22am today.

His wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali also cast her ballot there.

Dr Mahathir, when met by reporters, said voter turnout at the centre this morning was a low.

“Some people just don’t bother, so they don’t go out to vote. They should vote to determine their future, but some people might be bored and think voting is pointless. This is an irresponsible attitude,” said the 98-year-old former Langkawi MP.

When asked about his health after being admitted to the National Heart Institute earlier this month for an infection, Mahathir said he is fine.

“My health is okay, but I had a slight fever (at that time), so my doctors insisted I go to the hospital. I didn’t want to go to the hospital, I thought I could be treated at home, but they insisted I go to the hospital.

“I was there only for about two days, so I am fine now,” he said.

Terengganu Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Said, who is contesting the Kijal seat, arrived at SK Telok Kalong in Kijal with his wife. They were the first to vote at the polling centre.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was among those who arrived early at SK Rusila, Marang, to cast his ballot for the Rhu Rendang seat.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who is Rantau candidate, arrived at the SJKC Chung Hua polling centre in Negri Sembilan with his wife Raja Salbiah Tengku Nujumudin at 8.30am.

Caretaker Negri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun, who is contesting in Sikamat, was at the SMK Haji Mohd Redza centre by 8.30am.

About 9.67 million Malaysians are eligible to vote today in the state polls.

The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election is also today.

Polling centres in Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan close at 6pm. – August 12, 2023.