Outstation Sarawakians return home to vote on Saturday

KUCHING: Outstation Sarawakians have begun returning home in conjunction with the 11th state election on Saturday.
Kuala Lumpur-based Socso deputy CEO John Riba Marin who will be returning home tomorrow, said it would be his 5th time to vote in the polls.
He would be casting his ballot in the Opar constituency which will see a four-cornered contest involving BN Incumbent Ranum Mina; PBDSB' Patrick Anek Uren; PKR's Francis Teron Kadap Anak Noyet; and Independent Niponi Anak Undek.
"It is my responsibility and right as a son of Sarawak to choose the government that would lead my state in the next five years," said John Riba when contacted today.
Meanwhile, two siblings and teachers, Lukis Anak Henry, 46, and Lilin Lisoi, 43, are excited to return to Sarawak to vote for the first time after living in Sabah for nearly 10 years.
Originally from Kampung Semadang in Penrissen, they will be casting their ballot in Mambong Constituency.
"It is also an opportunity for us to meet our parents and other siblings who we miss very much," said Lukis who is teaching in a school in Beaufort, Sabah.
Kuala Lumpur-based private company executive Egberg Koh, 49, who registered as a voter in Batu Lintang Constituency said he would be returning home on Friday, eve of polling day.
"I managed to obtain seven days' leave and would be returning with the family (wife and two children) to Kuching tomorrow," he said.
Sopian Rapaee, 43, a trader in Banting, Selangor, said in Sibu that he arrived home in Kampung Datu, a week ago.
"As a trader I can afford to come home earlier as I do not have a set working time," he said. He would be voting in the Nangka constituency near here.
Joyce Rani, a civil servant based in Selangor says she returned home purposely to vote in the state election.
"Actually I would be coming home at the end of the month for the Gawai celebration.
"But I am here now to exercise my responsibility as a Sarawakian even though the air fare is quite high," she said.
She would be casting her ballot in Repok Constituency: "even though I am in Selangor, I always follow Sarawak's political developments". — Bernama