Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) has urged the Election Commission (EC) to allow postal voting for Sabahans living in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak to ensure fair and inclusive access to the ballot box.
Sabah Dapsy Chief Chan Loong Wei said many Sabahans studying or working outside the state still vote in their home constituencies but face significant costs and logistical hurdles when elections are held.
“Thousands of Sabahans in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang or Kuching want to carry out their civic duty, but the cost of a return flight alone can reach RM600 to RM1,000.
“For students and the working class, that’s an enormous burden, especially when elections are called at short notice,” he said in a statement, Thursday.
He said if Malaysians living overseas are eligible to vote by post, it is only logical that Malaysians within the country be granted the same right.
“Postal voting is already a proven and secure system used by overseas voters, the security forces, and government personnel.
“Extending it to Sabahans and Sarawakians living in other states would be a step towards equality and accessibility,” Chan said.
Chan also called on the EC to modernise the process by enabling online registration, transparent verification and secure digital tracking to make the voting system more efficient and inclusive.
“No Malaysian should be denied the right to vote simply because they live far from their polling centre,” he said.
Dapsy said democratic participation should not depend on one’s financial means or geographical location and said young Sabahans across the country are eager to play their part in shaping the state’s future, adding that the EC should facilitate their right to vote through more inclusive measures.