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Allow people to vote where they live

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Professor James Chin

KUCHING: Allowing Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia to vote wherever they are is definitely a good idea, said a political analyst. 

Professor James Chin from the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute said this approach by the Election Commission (EC) will allow people to vote in places where they actually live. 

“Especially in the Sarawak scene, where there’s a mad scramble of Sarawakians coming back, not only to major towns but those who are registered in villages and longhouses, they have to travel long distances. 

“Currently, the system is if you want to vote according to where you live, you have to change the address as stated in the Identity Card (IC),” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted recently.

“Basically, it is about allowing them (Sabahans and Sarawakians) to do early voting because they are voting for seats in Sabah and Sarawak).”

He emphasised that logistically, it is not an issue and quite easy for Sabahans and Sarawakians to do early voting in Peninsular Malaysia as the ballots can be flown back to both states without any problem. 

“It is actually the issue of whether the EC wants to do it or not. 

“Traditionally, the EC has not been friendly to voters in Sabah and Sarawak but the approach made by the EC is a good idea,” he said. 

Last October, the government drew criticism for its reluctance to allow Sabah and Sarawak voters residing in Peninsular Malaysia to vote by post.

Deputy Law Minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin had told the Dewan Rakyat that Sabahans and Sarawakians living in the peninsula were encouraged to change their voting constituencies to their latest places of residence to facilitate voting in an election.

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