KOTA KINABALU: Kota Belud MP, Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, is urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to ensure that Sabah voters in the Peninsula can fulfill their responsibilities in the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN-17).
This call comes after the Election Commission (EC) stated that there would be no postal voting for Sabah voters outside the state, meaning they need to return to Sabah to cast their votes.
Isnaraissah expressed concern over the lack of postal voting facilities, as it could undermine the rights of Sabah voters in the Peninsula to exercise their civic duties.
“As a member of the Special Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reform,
“I have raised this issue with the EC to ensure that Sabahans in the Peninsula have access to the voting process without having to return to their home state,” she said in a statement on Thursday.
In this regard, she presented two key proposals for the government to consider.
“Granting a day of unpaid leave before the election day to Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia to allow them to return to Sabah to vote.
“Controlling flight fares from the Peninsula to Sabah through collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, to ensure they are at reasonable rates that voters can afford.
“I urge that both of these proposals be taken seriously to ensure that the people of Sabah are not denied their right to vote and to promote the practice of democracy in the country,” she said.
Isnaraissah noted that this move would not only demonstrate the government’s concern for the rights of the people but also potentially increase voter turnout in PRN-17.
