MIRI – Sarawakians have started heading to their respective polling stations throughout the state today to cast their votes for its 12th state election.
In the rural frontiers of northern Sarawak, heavy rainfall has threatened to derail their mission, as voters from longhouses started journeying to their polling stations that opened at 7.30am.
Peter Kallang, a native of Long Ekang, told The Vibes he and his family will cast their votes today.
“The road is muddy and the river level has risen.
“The water currents are strong, but we will somehow make our way to the polling centre,” he said.
Kallang, who works in Miri city for an environmental group, had made the arduous journey back to his home settlement of Long Ekang yesterday afternoon.
The journey took about five hours from Miri to the town of Long Lama, followed by a longboat to Long Ekang.
At Mulu National Park, Willie Kajan from Long Berawan is also heading to cast his vote.
“The rain is not too heavy but the roads are muddy.
“People are going out to vote but slowly and in small numbers at a time,” he said.
In central Sarawak, there was also rain in some locations but no floods as yet.
Ema Sawing, a shop operator in the remote town of Belaga, said there have been a significant number of people who are returning from the urban areas.
“Many Belaga locals are working in Bintulu district, especially in the Samalaju Industrial Estate.
“Most are coming back today, but quite a number had already returned last night,” she said.
Some 1,866 polling stations are set up throughout the state which will operate from 7.30am to 5pm today.
About 1.3 million voters are eligible to cast their vote at 82 state constituencies in Sarawak. – The Vibes, December 18, 2021
