Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans who cannot afford to return home to cast their votes due to expensive flight tickets should be made eligible for postal voting, says a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leader.
Rizal Johari, who is Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) Assistant Secretary-General, said in the current economic situation, many Sabahans will have to dig deep into their pockets to purchase flight tickets.
“A few hundred Ringgit for a one-way flight is way too expensive. Just make them eligible as postal voters,” he said in a statement.
Rizal said he understood the people’s financial burden and saw no other way for them to exercise their rights to vote other than via post.
Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin had earlier called on the Election Commission (EC) to consider postal voting for university students who cannot come home to cast their votes.
Rizal said many Sabahans who are working outside of the State also find it burdensome to travel if flight tickets are too costly.
It was reported that the average one-way flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu during the general elections costs RM355 the lowest.
It would cost nearly RM1,000 for a return ticket, based on what has been reported.
“We must find a way to overcome this because we do not want anyone to feel they’ve been denied of their right to vote,” said Rizal.
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