Malaysian voters in Doha given enough time, says embassy

The Malaysian Embassy claims to have given Malaysian residents in Doha four days to register as postal voters.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Embassy in Doha has denied that a short notice was issued to Malaysians there to register as postal voters.

According to the embassy officials, the notice was e-mailed to all Malaysians registered with the embassy on Dec 31, 2012. A similar fotice was also placed on the embassy’s Facebook page and the Malaysian Association in Qatar’s (MAQ) website.

The embassy was commenting on a complaint by a distraught Malaysian residing in Doha that it had sent out an e-mail to 38 Malaysians giving them only 30 minutes to register as postal voters.

The embassy today claims that it has received and accepted photocopies of the passport or MyKad of Malaysians in Doha although it did not specify the numbers who have registered.

Malaysians are required to submit these documents by Jan 4.

According to the embassy officials, there are 3,319 Malaysians registered with the embassy including spouses and children of those working there.

However, they estimated that there are 4,500 to 5,000 Malaysians in Qatar. Many have not updated their contact details with the embassy, and this is probably why some Malaysians complained they were given short notice.

The embassy also said its business hours are from 8am to 4pm (Sunday to Thursday), refuting claims that it closes at 1pm on Thursdays, and hence not giving enough time for Malaysians to register as voters.