Sabah Polls: Media Practitioners Fulfill Voting Duty Amidst Busy Coverage

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Despite being fully engaged in covering the 17th Sabah state election since early morning, media practitioners in Sabah ensured they did not neglect their duty to vote alongside over 1.7 million eligible voters.

Sabah Journalists Association president Mariah Doksil returned to her hometown in Pitas, about 180 kilometres (km) from here, to cast her vote at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pitas at 10.30 am today.

“Although media practitioners are usually eligible to vote by post, I chose to make the four-hour journey to Pitas because I wanted the experience of voting in person and having the indelible ink on my finger as a symbol of fulfilling my responsibility as a citizen,” she told Bernama.

In addition to voting, Mariah, a senior reporter for The Borneo Post, also used the opportunity to report on the voting process, providing live updates through photo captions and videos.

Senior reporter for the New Straits Times in Sabah, Olivial Miwil, 37, from Penampang, who voted at SJK (C) Yue Min, said that while she had previously used postal voting, her application was rejected this time due to a technical error.

"Indeed, polling day is a busy day for journalists, but I believe that fulfilling my responsibility as a voter is something I must prioritise,” she said.

A Daily Express journalist, Cynthia Duris Baga, 40, stressed that despite her busy work schedule, voting is a fundamental duty as a Malaysian citizen.

“Even with a packed agenda, just five minutes at the polling station can shape the next five years. Voting is not merely an act; it is an investment in a better future,” she said after casting her vote at SK Kokol, Inanam.

Meanwhile, Hasnah Jusid, 34, Bernama Johor Bureau chief, made the effort to return to her hometown in Kota Marudu to vote physically for the first time.

Until now, she had always used postal voting due to work commitments, but this time her experience was different when she was able to feel the atmosphere of voting day herself, from the journey to one of 940 polling stations, until the process was finished.

"I am proud to fulfill my responsibility as a citizen, this single vote is very valuable, as it helps choose representatives and parties that will voice our concerns and determine the direction of the state,” she said after voting at SK Popok this afternoon. 

Bernama Sabah Bureau photographer Zamain Singkui, 57, also returned to his hometown to cast his vote for the Kadamaian state constituency at SK Kabayau in Kota Belud.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

-- BERNAMA