SANDAKAN: A retired fisherman took a two-hour boat and bus ride from Lubukan island in order to reach Batu Sapi here to exercise his right to vote in the PKR party election today.
Jumain Kemban, 67, left his house at 7am and reached the voting centre at a hall in a low cost housing project at 9am.
The PKR member, who arrived with four friends, was casting his vote for the first time.
In addition to the long journey, the boat and bus fare were rather pricey – but Jumain and his friends were eager to participate in the election process.
“One boat ride is RM10, while the bus fare is RM1.70, one way.
“We hope our chosen candidates will become leaders that will help develop our village. Most importantly, we hope we can highlight the issues we face to them,” he said.
Jumain added that his village, located in the Sukau state constituency, is in need of clean water supply.
Meanwhile, checks at the Batu Sapi election centre found that voters began gathering at 8am, even though polls only opened at 9am.
Batu Sapi is witnessing a three-corner fight for the post of division chief between incumbent Baby Anne Alsali, Abidin Sukor and Umar Baki Aliudin.