Madius Urges the EC to Align Candidate Nomination and Voting Days with the Principles of the Rukun Negara

TUARAN: Following the dissolution of the Sabah Legislative Assembly on Monday, Tuaran Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, has urged the Election Commission (EC) not to schedule the candidate nomination and voting days on worship days, specifically Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

He said that holding the nomination and election processes on these worship days does not reflect adherence to the first principle of the Rukun Negara, which is Belief in God.

“Friday is a day of worship for Muslims; Saturday is a day of worship for followers of the Seventh-Day Adventist and True Jesus Church; while Sunday is a day of worship for other Christians, including Roman Catholics and Protestants.

“I propose that the nomination and voting processes be held on regular weekdays, from Monday to Thursday, to show respect for the religious diversity in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.

According to Madius, the principles of the Rukun Negara clearly demand that every follower of a religion be given space and respect to perform their worship without interference from other activities, including election activities.

“When we want to implement a principle, we must embody and live it.

“Similarly, the Rukun Negara is not just a pledge recited verbally, but it should be practiced and serve as a guiding value in national life,” he added.

Madius, who is also the Honorary President of the Kinabalu Progressive Party (UPKO), pointed out that there is evidence showing that elections have previously been held on days that are not worship days.

“For instance, the 14th General Election on May 9, 2018, was held on a Wednesday, while the Permatang Pauh by-election on May 7, 2015, fell on a Thursday, and both were conducted smoothly,” he said.

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