Sabah voters home on 'mysterious' chartered flight

About 100 Sabahans living and working in the peninsula today arrived in Kota Kinabalu via a mysterious Malaysia Airlines chartered flight.

None of the passengers approached by Malaysiakini at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport knew who sponsored their flight home, but said that they had to prove they were registered voters before being included on the list.

Most said they found out through friends, while others, like 30-year-old therapist Nurina Salim, was advised by state foundation Yayasan Sabah.

Victor, 35, who works in a supermarket in Hulu Kelang, Selangor, said that he found out at the last minute and spent the night at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he was put on the waiting list.

"I obtained leave until May 6, but the organisers cannot confirm my seat for the flight back to Kuala Lumpur yet," said the Kinarut voter.

"I heard about people saying that foreigners who are phantom voters will be on these chartered fights, but I'm Malaysian so it makes me a little angry."

Another passenger, Kerajaan Amsiaji (left in photo), 28, from Semporna said the trip home was paid for by "BN people", but he was not told who to vote for.

Vonney Stefani Pajoi, a Penampang voter, said that she found out about the free flights through a notice at her church in Nilai, Negri Sembilan where she lives.

"I just can't wait to vote! Ini kali lah!" she said, adding that even her three school-going children were sponsored the trip back to their hometown.

Goodie bags and T-shirts given

Workers giving out goodie bags to passengers were tight-lipped about the programme, but it is understood that the flight is one of several chartered for the purpose of flying home Sabahan voters from Thursday until tomorrow.

Passengers were given T-shirts which read, ‘Peace, Stability and Progress. Najib for Malaysia’.

"I heard Najib himself sponsored the flights," said first-time voter Samuel Kapong (right), 25, who found out about the deal throughFacebook.

But will the free flights convince him to vote to keep Najib as prime minister? "My vote is secret," he said, smiling.

The passengers’ testimonials refute claims by DAP Likas candidate Junz Wong, who alleged that ‘foreigners’ were being flown in masses to Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

"So I urge all voters to come out to vote as phantom voters can assume your identity if you do not.

"Come out to vote for Pakatan Rakyat en bloc to cancel out the effect of any phantom voters," he said.