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Bernama Staff Cast Ballots Amid Coverage Demands Of N. Sembilan Polls
SEREMBAN, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The demands of covering the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election did not stop Bernama staff from making time to cast their votes, fulfilling their civic duty to elect new representatives and determine the direction of the state government for the next five years.
Despite hectic coverage schedules, several Bernama journalists and photographers who have been practically camping out at the Bernama Negeri Sembilan Bureau for nearly three weeks since July 14 still made time to head to their respective polling centres.
Bernama journalists Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar, 32, and Rozainah Abdul Rahim, 36, along with photographer Mohd Izzul Farhan Ahmad Surianshah, cast their votes for the Paroi, Sri Tanjung and Ampangan state constituencies respectively.
Fharkhan said that despite his packed schedule today, he made time to vote alongside four family members at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tuanku Jaafar 2 in Senawang.
"This is my first time voting in person. I've always voted by post before, but this time I knew I would be assigned to cover the state polls. It was actually exciting seeing the ink stain on my finger," he said after casting his ballot around 2 pm.
For Rozainah, who voted at Kolej Vokasional Port Dickson at 9.40 am, the opportunity to cover the election while fulfilling her duty as a voter offered a unique experience, especially with the Sri Tanjung constituency witnessing a five-cornered contest.
Mohd Izzul Farhan, who cast his vote at SK Ampangan, also described the opportunity to work while fulfilling his civic responsibility as a special and memorable experience.
Meanwhile, Bernama TV stringer Arfi Ahmad, 53, and his son Muhd Danial Amsyar Arfi, 28, who is also a Bernama TV cameraman, voted for the Lenggeng constituency at SK Pantai after completing their coverage of the Inspector-General of Police at SMK King George V here this morning.
Bernama assistant editor Erda Khursyiah Basir, 40, who resides in Senawang, took advantage of the weekend break to return and vote for the Chennah constituency at SMK Triang Hilir in Simpang Durian, Jelebu.
"In previous elections, I voted by post. But this time it feels a little more special because it's my first time voting in person. I felt excited and proud seeing the blue ink stain on my finger," she said.
Bernama.com portal staffer Rozalina Ayob, 57, who resides in Kuala Lumpur, also made the most of the opportunity to return to her home state to vote in person for the first time at SM Agama Dato' Klana Petra Maamor in Seremban.
"Previously, I only voted by post. Experiencing face-to-face voting is completely different. The atmosphere is so much more lively and festive," said Rozalina, who hails from Palong, Jempol.
Meanwhile, Bernama's Opinion and Current Issues desk journalist Muhammad Basir Roslan, a Rantau native, also took leave to vote at SK Datuk Akhir Zaman before returning to Kampung Ulu Lalang to spend time with his family.
Also casting their votes were Bernama Radio news manager Mohd Hirzee Mohamad, 41, who voted at SM Agama Dato' Klana Petra Maamor for the Ampangan constituency, and Fact-Checking desk journalist Norzaidi Arjunaidi, who cast his vote at SMK Chan Wa II for the Bukit Kepayang constituency.
Former Bernama chief executive officer Datuk Mokhtar Hussain and Malaysia Press Institute (MPI) chief executive officer Ainol Amriz Ismail were also seen voting at SK Paroi for the Paroi constituency, alongside former Bernama Negeri Sembilan Bureau chief Razali Pilus, who voted at SMK Taman Tuanku Jaafar in Senawang, also for the Paroi seat.
For the latest updates on the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/n9.
-- BERNAMA