Sarawak social development minister William Mawan Ikom advised Sarawakians staying in Johor to register themselves as voters or move their voting base to the state.

NONE Citing logistics problems involved, Mawan said only a small fraction of about 40,000 Sarawakians living in Johor return to their hometowns to vote during general election.

“While they are living, trying to integrate themselves with the local community and authorities here, why not just settle down and offer whatever loyalty to build a legion here by registering themselves as voters,” he said.

He said by doing so they would benefit when there faced problems or in need of certain services because the authorities would know how to manage them since they are also part of the Johor people.

“It will go a long way to show your commitment and for you to demand whatever services that can be rendered by them (Johor state authority),” he told reporters after officially opening the Majlis Ramah Mesra Anak-anak Sarawak in Masai last night.

Mawan said Sarawakians who are able to go back and vote, should continue to do so.

The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president said to date about 2,000 Sarawakians who are largely Dayaks have registered as voters in Johor.

He also disclosed that the Pasir Gudang MP Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also minister of higher education, may hold a

dialogue with the Sarawakian community in Johor soon.

“If I am asked to come here, I will not mind presenting a proper overview, a perspective of what the people here are about, their problems, expectation and social aspect of life,” said Mawan.

Also present at the event were Bintulu MP and Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman Tiong King Sing, political

secretary to Sarawak chief minister Paul Igai and Permas state assemblyman M Munusamy.

- Bernama