REMBAU: The Rantau state seat by-election marked a personal achievement for R Malarvizhi – not only because she is one of the four candidates in the race (and the only woman) – but also for the fact that this is her first time voting in an election in the country.
The 51-year-old candidate, also known as Malar, said that during her 25 years of living abroad, she never had the opportunity to exercise her right to vote.
“I wasn’t aware of the procedure. I didn’t have enough information on the process to vote in Malaysia’s election as I was living in Canada.
“I registered immediately right after I returned to the country last year, but only managed to vote for the first time today,” she said.
Malar couldn’t contain her excitement as she arrived at the polling station at Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Chung Hua, as early as 6.40am.
“I wanted to be the first to vote today and thank God, I managed to become the first voter for stream number four,” she said.
She also expressed her satisfaction over the voting process, which has been “smooth sailing”.
The former radio presenter is in a four-cornered fight for the constituency against Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Pakatan Harapan’s Dr S Streram and independent candidate Mohd Nor Yassin.