MELAKA: A long bicycle journey from Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, to Bukit Katil did not deter 68-year-old Sitdek Ahmad Ali from attending the nomination process for the Melaka State Election today.
For Sitdek, cycling about 70 kilometres was not merely about reaching his destination, but also an opportunity to witness the democratic process up close and show his support for the prospective leaders who would be chosen by the people.
The senior citizen began his journey from his hometown in Gemas yesterday morning and arrived in Bukit Katil at about 4 am today, after cycling throughout the night.
“I came because I wanted to witness the nomination process and show my support for all the candidates contesting.
“We do not often get the opportunity to witness such a process up close, so I took the opportunity to come here myself,” he told Bernama when met at the nomination centre for the Bukit Katil State Legislative Assembly seat at Dewan Tun Ali, Bukit Katil, here today.
He said that after arriving in the area, he took the opportunity to rest at a nearby surau before returning to the nomination centre at about 7.30 am.
Sitdek said he also hoped to visit several other nomination centres, if time permitted, to follow developments in the state’s democratic process.
His interest in long-distance cycling is not new. In 2019, he undertook a 2,500-kilometre cycling expedition around Peninsular Malaysia to raise funds to fulfil his dream of cycling to Mecca.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, while early voting will take place on Nov 10.
