Drizzle fails to fizzle determination of Likas sisters to cast votes

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 29): Three sisters from Kampung Likas were among the earliest voters to arrive at SK Likas this morning, with the drizzle failing to deter their determination to cast their ballots in the 17th Sabah state election.

Siti Nurizah Panglima, 38, said she and her two younger sisters, Siti Norhafizan Panglima, 34, and Hazwani Panglima, 26, began the day early.

“We woke up at dawn because the weather yesterday was not very good. We hoped it would not rain heavily this morning, so we checked the sky and it looked fine. We left at five to vote,” she said.

Siti Nurizah said voting has always been a family commitment.

“Every election we will come out to vote,” she said.

She added that her hopes for the new or returning state government remained the same each year.

“Every year we place our best hopes for Sabah, our homeland. We know the competition among the candidates is always strong. We just want to see who can give the best for our state,” she said.

Siti Nurizah also observed a noticeable change in the voter demographic this year, with Undi18 bringing more young people to the polls.

“This time I can see it is different. In previous years, we thought elections were something for older adults. But this time I see many young people, people our age.

“Alhamdulillah. Maybe there is more awareness now about improving our own state based on the government that will lead us,” she said.

Siti Nurizah said she was grateful that the weather held up long enough for her and her sisters to vote early before larger crowds arrived.