Voters' turnout reaches 55 per cent as of 1 pm





KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- The polling process in most voting stations nationwide is still underway at noon with the percentage of voters' turnout reaching 55 per cent as of 1 pm.

People are still thronging the polling stations despite having to wait in long queues and armed with umbrellas in the hot weather in most areas as of 1 pm.

For instance, at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Setiawangsa polling station here, the voters were seen patiently queuing up for their turns to vote according to their respective polling streams.

However, some polling stations were close early after the polling process was completed due to the small number of voters in the areas.

In Sarawak, two polling stations, namely at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Kai Nang for the Sibu parliamentary seat and the Taman Heng Guan Multipurpose Hall, Kuching, were closed at 11 am and noon respectively.

In another development, fishermen at Kampung Padang Salim, Kota Kuala Muda, Sungai Petani going out to sea early this morning returned to land earlier than usual to take the opportunity to cast their vote.

Among those stealing the media limelight were Pertubuhan Martabat Jalinan Muhibbah Malaysia (MJMM) president Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah, known for his tagline 'Kipidap' (Keep it up), who voted at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Hillcrest, Taman Seri Gombak.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun also monitored the security situation, including at Sekolah Rendah Agama Al-Khawarizmi in Bangsar here.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah also made security inspection on polling day by police helicopter.

-- BERNAMA