Student fails to get bus ticket, sets out to walk to Kelantan to vote

 

Eighteen-year-old Haikal Noor Azmin with a small suitcase, backpack and umbrella as he made his way home. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Eighteen-year-old Haikal Noor Azmin would be voting for the first time in his life, and the Kepala Batas community college student’s excitement is telling.

Despite failing to purchase a bus ticket for the journey from Penang back to his hometown in Kelantan, Haikal was resolute about making sure he got back by Saturday so he could exercise his democratic right.

According to Astro Awani, on Wednesday evening, the 2D animation certificate student set out to walk all the way back to the east coast just so he could cast his ballot.

As fate would have it, it was not long after Haikal started his journey that his lecturer saw him on the road around 7pm, with a luggage, backpack and umbrella in tow.

According to the community college’s director, Jasni Yusof, Haikal suffers from speech and mobility impairments. When met by his lecturer, he was clearly exhausted, but he explained why he was on foot to Kelantan.

“To ensure the safety and welfare of the student, the Kepala Batas community college took the initiative to send Haikal back to Kelantan using a college vehicle so that he can vote on Saturday.

“This initiative was made by the community college’s staff to ease his travels,” Jasni said.

Thanks to the Kepala Batas community college, Haikal arrived back in his home town today.

The eldest among five siblings, he was touched by his community college’s act of kindness, saying it was a big help in alleviating his family’s burdens, having lost their father since he was 11. - FMT