No postal ballots, Warisan MP seeks govt help for outstation Sabahans

Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis has urged the federal government to assist Sabahans living in the peninsula to return home and vote in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election, with no provision by the Election Commission to allow them to cast postal ballots.

In a statement yesterday, Isnaraissah, who sits on the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform, said the EC risks denying many Sabahans their right to vote.

“I have previously raised with EC the need to allow Sabahans residing and working in the peninsula to vote without having to be physically present in Sabah,” she said.

In response to the EC’s announcement, the Warisan MP proposed two measures for the federal government’s consideration - a one-day unrecorded leave for Sabahans in the peninsula to travel home, and airfare control to ensure affordable ticket prices.

“First, I urge the federal government to grant a one-day unrecorded leave before polling day for Sabahans in the peninsula to return home to vote.

“Secondly, I urge the government, particularly the Transport Ministry, to ensure that airfares from the peninsula to Sabah are regulated and reduced to a reasonable and affordable rate,” she said.

Isnaraissah said both proposals must be taken seriously to safeguard Sabahans’ voting rights and strengthen Malaysia’s democratic process.

“These two proposals should be given serious and proper consideration by the government to ensure that the rights of Sabahans are not hindered and that democracy in Malaysia can continue to flourish,” she added.

The EC has announced that the Sabah state election will be held on Nov 29.

It also set Nov 15 for nominations, with early voting scheduled for Nov 25.

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