SUNGAI BESAR: Early voting for the Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election kickstarted at 8am at the Sabak Bernam district police headquarters today.
Policemen with addresses in Sekinchan and Sungai Panjang began queueing at the headquarters compound as early as 7.30am.
Former Sabak Bernam district police headquarters OCPD Assistant Commissioner Noor Mushar Mohd was the first to cast his vote at 8am.
Now the Perlis deputy police chief, Mushar said he saw voting as his obligation as a Malaysian citizen and had taken a five-hour drive to Sungai Besar to do so.
"Since the Election Commission announced that there would be a by-election here, I have been following the progress and made necessary arrangements to be here.
"I am leaving for Perlis after this and this 48-hour trip has also provided me the opportunity to catch up with my former colleagues," he said.
Despite having sprained his left foot on the night before early voting, Corporal Zainal Abidin Jaafar was determined to exercise his right to vote although he now has to temporarily move around in a wheelchair.
The father of three, who has been assigned to light duties as he also undergoes dialysis treatment, said he had fallen at home in his room as he was preparing to perform the Asar prayer.
Zainal, 54, was wheeled into the voting area by his wife, Norkhairi na Abdullah at about 8am.
Selangor police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat, Pas and Barisan Nasional Sungai Besar by-election candidates Dr Abdul Rani Osman and Budiman Mohd Zohdi are among those who came and met with the policemen.