Bersih cautions S'wak against string-attached travel subsidy for voters 

It would be an offence for the Sarawak government to provide a travel subsidy with strings attached to young Sarawakians living in the peninsula to fly back to the Borneo state to cast their ballot during the forthcoming general election (GE15), Bersih cautioned.

In a statement today, the electoral watchdog said this is particularly so if the subsidy recipients are asked to vote for a particular candidate or party.

"It is the view of Bersih that this is an illegal practice under Section 20 of the Election Offences Act 1954 if the travel subsidy is not provided to all voters and it comes with preconditions to vote for a particular candidate or party."

The provision carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 as well as being barred from voting or standing as a candidate for five years, said Bersih, adding that the individual charged in court risks being disqualified if he or she is an elected representative.

"However,  Section 20(5) of the Act makes an exception for those who are sharing the cost of transportation, such as carpooling or hiring a bus to transport themselves to their home constituencies," Bersih said.

"Whoever offers subsidised fares to enable voters to travel home to vote must ensure that the offer is offered to all voters, regardless of their political leanings and that the whole process and transportation itself do not carry any candidate's or party's emblem that might influence the way a person votes."

‘Possible abuse of state resources’

Bersih also raised concerns over the possible abuse of state resources by the GPS-led government.

"When a state or federal government offers subsidised fares, the issue of abuse of state resources during elections to gain an advantage comes into question, especially when it is directly or indirectly linked to supporting the candidates of the government.

"It gives the incumbent government an unfair advantage and is unethical, but unfortunately, the current laws do not criminalise such acts," Bersih said.

"We invite the Sarawak and Sabah state governments to join us in calling on the Election Commission (EC) to allow out-of-region voters, especially the East Malaysians living in the peninsula, and West Malaysians living in Sabah and Sarawak, to have absentee voters' rights and to vote three days in advance of the polling day, where mega voting centres could be set up in every state for these voters," it added.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg told a town hall session last Saturday that the state government is mulling subsidies for state voters to return home to vote in GE15.

The matter will be discussed in detail with other leaders, Abang Johari said.

"All I know is about the dissolution (of Parliament), but we do not know when the polling date is. Nonetheless, we will consider it. 

"I cannot give a specific answer. Let us discuss among the leaders first how to provide assistance to the anak-anak (young people) to come home and vote," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Kayaks and candles: PKR division preps for GE and floods

Mat Sabu: I may be dead soon, up to youths to save nation

COMMENT | Gearing up for mother of all parties

Rowdy youths disrupt Syed Saddiq's report card briefing in Muar

Nurul Izzah denies allegations of secret Umno-PKR talks

Worried about floods? Don't field candidates then - Penang BN chief

COMMENT | Want our vote? Support persons with disabilities