LABIS: Independence fighter Alias Bujal, 94, can’t wait for Sunday to vote in Tenang state by-election.
The veteran of 12 general elections, has never failed to vote for his beloved country.
“Let us go out and vote in this by-election. I will be voting for the 13th time,” he told reporters at his house in Kampung Tenang on Tuesday night.
Alias who fought for independence with the late Datuk Onn Jaafar said past leaders fought hard for the country’s independence.
“Let us protect this independence as there are others out there waiting to grab it,” said the senior citizen who can still drive 14km to Labis town.
Alias and wife Salmah Awang Husin, 60, were happy when Datuk Onn’s grandson Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein visited his house recently.
He together with Datuk Onn formed Umno in 1946 and that same year set up Segamat Umno branch.
Alias who also fought against Malayan Union later became Tenang Umno branch head and committee member of Labis Umno division.
“I was close to Datuk Onn and son Tun Hussein as they used to come here. Kampung Tenang was surrounded by jungle then.”
He said the kampung has changed much and is now equipped with roads, schools, clinics, electricity and water supply.
“I ate tapioca and walked through jungle paths but my children did not experience this as everything was available. Making a living was difficult during the communist era as they came while I was tapping rubber.
“I reported to the police and later two communists were shot dead,” said the father of four children and 30 grandchildren.— Bernama