MIRI – Rural folks in Sarawak are braving logistical challenges to cast their ballots in the polls today, which garnered praise from a candidate.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s Dennis Ngau, who is seeking to defend the Telang Usan constituency, lauded voters in the rural Baram district for their unrelenting efforts in making their way to the polling stations.
He is contesting against PKR’s Philip Jau and Parti Sarawak Bersatu candidate Jau Jok Jenggo.
Ngau, who cast his vote in the same constituency, told The Vibes he had found that the villagers were diligent in exercising their rights to vote.
“I found that almost all eligible voters are heading to the Long Bedian polling station.
“In the upper reaches, I heard the villagers in Long Akah are still finding it difficult to make their way to their polling station due to the weather.
“There are some polling stations where voters’ arrival was delayed due to the rain.
“Hopefully, we can see more turning out before the 5pm closing,” he said.
Activist Peter Kallang, who also voted in Telang Usan, told The Vibes that according to his friends from Long Ekang, many stretches of timber roads have become very muddy and flooded due to the rain showers.
“It is very difficult to drive through the roads, and vehicles can get stuck in deep mud.
“The rural folks have to put in great effort to go voting,” he said.
The Election Commission said the overall turnout of voters appears to be steady so far, at 39% as of 12pm. – The Vibes, December 18, 2021
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