Muda wants Sarawak polls to be held after Undi18 implemented

 

The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has called for the Sarawak state election to be held after the automatic registration for new voters and Undi18 came into force in January 2022.

Sarawak Muda suggested that the state polls be held on Jan 2.

"It is known that the state polls must be held within 60 days after the end of the proclamation of emergency on Nov 3.

"The Sarawak Muda executive committee would like to urge the Election Commission (EC) to set the polling date on Jan 2 after Undi18 is implemented," said Sarawak Muda chief Jeffery Ngui in a letter to Sarawak EC director Jasni Jubli yesterday.

He said that this would allow 135,000 new voters aged between 18 and 20 to cast their ballot in the upcoming state election.

"If the polls are held before the Undi18 comes into force, it is as though negating the rights of young voters in fulfilling their democratic responsibilities as they have to wait for another five years before they could vote.

"On top of that, the automatic registration of voters is expected to come into force this year. This further emphasised the importance of elections being held next year so that hundreds of thousands of new voters can vote," he said.

Ngui also noted that a state election might cause a surge of Covid-19 cases, just like the recently concluded Malacca state polls.

"(We may) see a downward trend of Covid-19 cases if the polls are held next year as the pandemic will be much more under control," he said.

With Sarawak continuing to record three-digit new Covid-19 cases daily, he raised concern that the upcoming state polls may see a low voter turnout.

"This will affect the democratic system of the country where it will create unequal representation where the minority elects the leader on behalf of the majority. This is very unhealthy for the country's democratic system," he said.

No feedback from EC

Meanwhile, Sarawak Muda information chief Afiq Khatem said Ngui's letter was submitted to Sarawak EC yesterday.

"On Nov 14, we emailed Sarawak EC to seek an appointment with them, wishing to convey the voices of the youth who may not be able to vote as Undi18 has not come into force," he said.

Afiq said Sarawak Muda went to EC headquarters in Kuching as it was not getting any feedback from the commission.

The state legislative assembly was due to dissolve automatically on June 7 following the expiry of its term, but the state poll was suspended due to the nationwide emergency to combat Covid-19, which ended on Aug 1.

A localised emergency was declared for Sarawak from Aug 2 to Feb 2, 2022, but this was lifted with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s approval on Nov 3.

That paved way for the long-delayed Sarawak elections, which must now be held within 60 days from Nov 3.

Last month, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the voting age for Malaysians will be lowered from 21 to 18 from Jan 1, 2022. - Mkini