BINTULU: The Jepak by-election yesterday was special for the constituency’s young and first-time voters as it was the first time that they got to choose a representative in the Sarawak legislative assembly.
This is because the last state election took place on Dec 18, 2021, just before the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 on Dec 31 that year.
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Wendella Lako Berasap, 22, said she was proud to be among the first-time voters to choose a state assemblyman.
“I’m happy to be able to exercise my responsibility as a citizen, but at the same time I felt a little nervous because this was my first time voting,” she said after casting her ballot at SK Bintulu here.
She added that it was a good lesson that would prepare her for future elections.
Three candidates contested the Jepak seat that fell vacant after the death of its assemblyman, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, on Sept 15.
They are Iskandar Turkee of Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang of Parti Bumi Kenyalang and Chieng Lea Phing from the Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party.
According to the electoral roll, there are 1,615 youth voters aged 18 to 20 in Jepak, making up 7% of the constituency’s 22,804 voters. Another 4,952 voters are aged 21 to 29.
Another first-time voter, Crystal Janita Christopher, 19, was both nervous and excited about casting her ballot.
Crystal, who is studying in Kuching, had travelled back to Bintulu on Friday in order to vote.
“I think it’s important to carry out my responsibility as a voter,” she said adding that the process went smoothly as election workers guided her.
For Dayang Nuradiyana Abang Ahmid, 20, this was her second time voting after the general election last year.
“The first time I was quite confused and didn’t really know what to do. Now I feel more experienced,” she said.
Dayang Nuradiyana, who came to the polling station with her mother, also said voting was a responsibility.
“This is an opportunity to choose a new leader to represent us,” she said.
