Postal voting for military personnel began on Nov 7, says Defence Force Chief

 

PETALING JAYA: The voting process for army personnel who are registered postal voters began on Nov 7 after receiving the Postal Ballot Paper Priority Envelope (SKKUP) issued by the Returning Officer (RO) for the electoral division.

Defence Force Chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang (pic) said this voting would continue until Nov 19 before 5pm.

"Nov 15 is the early voting day for the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and their spouses which is gazetted in the Electoral Registrar. This involves some 146,737 people.

"A total of 153 ATM early voting centers have also been gazetted by the Election Commission (EC) for the personnel and their spouses nationwide.

"The ATM hopes that the voting process goes on smoothly to enable each member to carry out their responsibility as a voter like any other Malaysian," Affendi said in a statement on Sunday (Nov 13).

He also said that the ATM was always supportive of the democratic parliament system under the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as Head of State.

As armed forces loyal to the King, personnel adhere to the integrity norms in carrying out their duty and responsibility for the well-being of the country, he added.

"What is important is that the ATM will continue to focus on strengthening its readiness in order to protect the interests and sovereignty of the country at any point in time.

"Especially now with the north east monsoon, which began on Nov 7 and likely to last until March 2023, the ATM is ready to organise asset movement in the event of big flooding in the states affected by the disaster," he said.

Affendi also said in line with the 15th General Elections on Nov 19, the ATM was also ready to assist the EC, local councils and authorities in ensuring the voting process nationwide is carried out seamlessly.

This was also to make certain that the safety and well-being of the people are always protected from any unwanted possibility throughout the voting process and when the election results are announced later, he added.

Affendi's statement comes after Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed military personnel, particularly those in Bera, had cast their ballots on Friday (Nov 11) and were paid RM300 each.

Anwar also claimed that he could prove his allegations and asked for an investigation to be carried out. - Star