Sunday March 9, 2008

Local stars add glitz to ‘glamorous’ general election

By JO TEH

PETALING JAYA: Some of the nation's biggest stars turned up to vote yesterday, attracting curious stares from other voters.

Among them were Erra Fazira, Ning Baizura, rap group KRU member Norman Abd Halim, Betty Banafe and Daphne Iking.

“I am really excited about it although it is my second time voting,” said Erra, 34, at the polling centre in Desa Pandan near here.

Star vote: Iking checking her polling booth details at Balai Raya Ramayah in Penampang, Sabah

“In fact, I got up really early because I wanted to avoid the queue. It is my responsibility to vote and I wanted to make sure that my vote counts.”

In Brickfields, Ning who arrived at 11am, said she was surprised to see a number of pressmen waiting.

“The previous election was not this 'glamorous'. It was pretty quiet,” she said, adding that it was her second time voting as well.

The singer urged the new government to have more environmental campaigns to create better awareness among the people.

“This country lacks environmental awareness and that is a little sad,” said the 33-year-old artiste.

Norman cast his ballot in Taman Melawati and agreed that every eligible citizen should register to vote. It was his third time voting.

In Shah Alam, actress-cum-singer Betty, 30, who arrived after lunch, said she did not go to the polls in the morning as she wanted to make sure that she had the correct polling station.

“In the last election, I accidentally mistook my polling centre for another and completely missed out on voting. This time, I made sure I got it right,” she said.

“It is important that my vote counts.”

In Sabah, TV host Iking, who was voting for the first time, said she was happy to be home to lend support to her father Mozes Michael Iking, who was contesting the Tambunan state seat on a PKR ticket.

“It has been quite a hectic morning because I had earlier gone to Tambunan to support my dad and then rushed to Penampang to cast my vote. But all is good,” she said.

Election

Sunday March 9, 2008

Local stars add glitz to ‘glamorous’ general election

By JO TEH