By Angie S Chin (Lead:, The Vote Wisely Project – Sabah)
KOTA KINABALU: As Malaysia approaches the 16th General Election (GE16), a longstanding issue continues to be overlooked — one that affects hundreds of thousands of Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak.
It is not about politics. It is not about ideology. It is about something far more fundamental: the right to vote.
For years, I have consistently raised this issue across multiple media platforms, calling for the extension of postal voting to Sabahans and Sarawakians working or studying outside their home states.
This includes:
The Star
Borneo Post
Daily Express
Jesselton Times (Opinion)
Across these platforms, the message has remained consistent: distance and cost should never be barriers to democracy.
Yet, despite repeated calls, no meaningful reform has taken place.
A Structural Inequality in Voting Access
Voters in Sabah and Sarawak do not face the same realities as those in Peninsular Malaysia.
In Peninsular Malaysia:
Travel between states is relatively affordable
Options include cars, buses, and trains
But for East Malaysians:
Flights are often the only option.
Costs can run into hundreds or even thousands of ringgits.
Travel requires time, planning, and financial sacrifice.
This is not inconvenience, this is systemic exclusion.
During Sabah’s 17th State Election, voter turnout was approximately 64%. This raises a critical question: where are the remaining voters?
A significant portion are likely those who simply could not afford to return home.
An Issue Now Echoed at the National Level
This concern is no longer confined to civil society.
More recently, Member of Parliament Kelvin Yii (from Kuching, Sarawak) has also raised the need to improve voting accessibility, reinforcing the urgency of addressing structural barriers faced by Malaysians.
Refer to the followings:
This alignment between public advocacy and parliamentary voices should serve as a clear signal:
The issue is real. The demand is legitimate. The solution is overdue.
Why “Just Change Your IC Address” Is Not a Solution
One commonly suggested workaround is for Sabahans and Sarawakians to change their NRIC address and vote in Peninsular Malaysia.
This is neither practical nor reasonable.
Many East Malaysian voters wish to vote for parties that are based in their home states and do not contest in Peninsular Malaysia. Changing their voting location forces them into choosing candidates they do not support.
This undermines the very essence of democratic choice.
The Solution Already Exists
Importantly, this is not a legal limitation.
Under the Elections (Registration of Electors) Regulations 2002, provisions for absent voters already exist.
However:
These provisions have not been expanded to include internal migrants
They remain limited to specific groups such as armed forces, media, and overseas voters
This makes the issue not one of law, but of administration.
A Question of Political Will
Estimates have suggested that more than 400,000 Sabahans and Sarawakians combined, are currently residing outside their home states, particularly in Peninsula.
This is not a small number.
It represents a significant portion of voters whose voices risk being excluded.
A democracy cannot claim to be inclusive if participation is determined by geography and affordability.
A Call to Act Before GE16
As GE16 approaches, the Election Commission (SPR) and the Federal Government must act decisively to:
Extend postal voting to Sabahans and Sarawakians outside their home states
Introduce absentee or early voting mechanisms within Malaysia
Update existing regulations to reflect current realities
These are not complex reforms. They are necessary ones.
Conclusion
Democracy should not depend on one’s ability to afford a flight ticket. It should be something you are guaranteed.
If you’ve ever complained about voting inconvenience — imagine not being able to vote at all.
I stand with those, including MP Kelvin Yii, who have called for this issue to be addressed.
The question now is simple: Will the Election Committee and the Federal Government act?
Share this if you believe this needs to change.
