KUCHING: Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for a whole day is not the most comfortable thing but health inspector Mohamad Amir Ashraf considers the sacrifice worthwhile.

       The 23-year-old was among the many health officers on duty at polling centres during the 12th Sarawak election, where they help implement Covid-19 preventive measures.

       "I can tell you that it feels super uncomfortable in full PPE.

       "But it is a job I must do and my responsibility is to help prevent a Covid-19 outbreak.

       "It is scary but at the same time, an enriching experience I will cherish for the rest of my life," Mohamad Amir said when met at the Satok Sports Complex polling centre here on Saturday (Dec 18) morning.

       Mohamad Amir said his tasks included the periodic sanitising of polling booths.

       "We do it at intervals throughout the day, until polling closes," he said.

       The lad from Simunjan, some 85km from Kuching, already voted in his village early in the morning before travelling to the city to work.

       Mohamad Ashraf said workers were allowed to take time off to eat, and he was looking forward to it.

       "Lunch is the only time I get to remove the PPE, so I can't wait for that," he said.

       The Satok Sports Complex was a polling centre in the Satok constituency.

       Earlier, caretaker chief minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg voted here at 10am.

       Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud was also expected to vote here.

       Polling ends at 5.30pm.