KOTA KINABALU: Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (STAR) Information Chief Anuar Ghani has called on the federal government and the Election Commission (SPR) to ensure that Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia are not denied their constitutional right to vote in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election.
Anuar voiced his strong support for the Vote Wisely campaign’s call, led by Angie S. Chin, urging SPR to introduce a new postal voting category to ease the financial and logistical burdens that many Sabahans face when traveling back home to vote.
“The federal government must not deny Sabahans living in Peninsular Malaysia their fundamental right to vote,” Anuar stressed.
“Distance and airfare should never become barriers that disenfranchise our people. Democracy is meaningless if Sabahans are unable to participate fully in shaping the future of their homeland.”
The Election Commission’s (EC) recently announced that there will be no implementation of postal voting for Sabah voters in peninsula.
The Vote Wisely campaign has highlighted the challenges Sabahans working and studying outside the state face during elections, launching a petition urging immediate action from SPR. They have also called on airlines to freeze fare hikes and offer special discounted return fares at least two weeks before polling day.
Angie S. Chin, representing Vote Wisely, said, “Every Sabahan deserves the right to decide the future of our homeland regardless of where we live. Protecting the right to vote is not just a procedural matter, it’s a moral duty.”
Anuar praised the Sabah Law Society’s recent court victory affirming Sabah’s constitutional rights, saying it should inspire authorities to uphold all aspects of these rights, including voting access.
“The government and SPR must act decisively to introduce mechanisms such as postal voting that will ensure no Sabahan is left behind. The right to vote is sacred and must be protected at all costs,” he added.
The call to action comes as Sabah approaches a critical state election, with Vote Wisely and some Sabah political leaders emphasizing that true democracy can only thrive when participation is accessible to all Sabahans, wherever they may reside.
