Kinabatangan, Lamag By-Elections: Vision Loss Not Stopping Elderly Man From Voting

KINABATANGAN, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- Undeterred by his visual impairment, 66-year-old Ammase Baco enthusiastically cast his vote in today’s Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections, assisted by his daughter.

He said this was the second time he had exercised his right to vote, having first done so in the Sabah State Election on Nov 29 last year, after his vision deteriorated in September.

“I have never missed voting in any election, despite a severe corneal problem affecting my sight. My eyesight worsened after a fall down the stairs, and for the last two months I have been entirely blind,” he told Bernama at the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Garam II here.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Siti Khairia Asri, who was casting her vote for the second time, said she was keen not to miss the chance to fulfil her responsibilities in the by-elections.

She added that despite the recent state election, young voters like her had no reason to take their responsibilities lightly.

The Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency has 48,282 voters eligible to vote today, with Lamag state constituency registering 13,515 voters.

The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election is a three-cornered contest among Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar of Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and Goldam Hamid (Independent), while the Lamag state by-election is a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).

The by-elections are being held following the death of the MP, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, on Dec 5 last year.

--BERNAMA