Melaka polls: Illness, injuries fail to stop policemen from voting

ALOR GAJAH: A fractured foot and rectal cancer did not stop two policemen from casting their votes on the Melaka election's early voting day today.

Sergeant M Manimaran, 56, said he fractured a bone in his right foot after slipping at his home in Tampin, Negri Sembilan, before the Deepavali celebrations.

The father of three, who is still on medical leave and receiving treatment at Tampin Hospital, said he was determined to vote despite his injury.

He said one of his children drove him to the early voting centre at the Alor Gajah traffic police station as early as 6.45am.

"Despite my injury, I still came to fulfil my responsibility as a voter.

"I am satisfied that I have fulfilled this responsibility and my duty as a citizen before retiring from the uniformed service in another four years," he said when met at the centre.

Manimaran, who has served in the police force for 36 years, said he was still receiving treatment for his injury at the hospital.

Another voter, Constable Faisal Mahiddin, 43, also made his way to the centre despite having been diagnosed with rectal cancer more than two years ago.

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Faisal, who is attached to the logistics section of the Alor Gajah Traffic Police Division, said this was his first time voting while using a stoma bag.

"For the past two years, I have had to carry a stoma bag with me after my prostate became swollen due to the cancer.

"Despite my health challenges, I remain determined to vote alongside my colleagues as part of my responsibility," said Faisal, who had previously served in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

Meanwhile, Corporal Jasri Jaafar, 41, who is attached to the Rembia police station, said he took the opportunity to cast his early vote before continuing with his duties at the centre.

He said this was his fifth time participating in early voting, while his last voting experience was during the previous election when he was stationed in Johor.

"I have been on duty at this centre since 6.30am and will remain here until everything is completed.

"Having cast my vote, I can now carry on with my duties, knowing that I have fulfilled my responsibility as a voter," said Jasri.