Postal voting better than subsidy to travel, Sarawak govt told

 

Dr Kelvin Yii says postal voting will protect the rights of East Malaysians to vote and facilitate their participation in the democratic process.

PETALING JAYA: The Sarawak government should push for the Election Commission (EC) to introduce a postal voting option for out-of-state East Malaysians instead of subsidising fares for those who fly home to vote in the next general election (GE15).

Former Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii made the call after the Sarawak government said it would consider giving such subsidies in a bid to encourage more voters to fly back.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said yesterday the matter would be discussed in detail with other leaders before arriving at a decision.

He was responding to questions about this at a town hall session with Sarawakians studying in Peninsular Malaysia.

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Dr Kelvin Yii.

“While I may welcome the (subsidy) move if it is fulfilled, it is only a short-term solution. With the distance and high travel costs involved, postal voting will be a long-term solution.

“This is something I have been pushing for from the start to protect the rights of East Malaysians to vote and facilitate their participation in the democratic process.

“The right to vote is not just a right for the rich or those who can afford to fly back to vote,” he said in a statement.

Yii said that out-of-state East Malaysians should not be burdened financially or be put at risk by having to travel back home just to exercise their voting rights.

“This reform and many more could have been done before elections were called to ensure it is safer, fairer and easier for more voters to be part of the electoral process,” he added.

Four days ago, Warisan’s Darell Leiking made a similar call for out-of-state East Malaysians to be given the postal voting option, citing the expensive cost of travelling back home. - FMT