‘Ease voting barriers for Sabahans in West Malaysia, Sarawak’ – Vote Wisely

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 25): As the Sabah state election draws near, the Vote Wisely Project appeals to the Election Commission (EC) and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to recognise and ease the challenges faced by Sabahans who are working or studying far from home in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

On October 16, the EC announced that the Sabah state election will be held on November 29, with nomination day on November 15 and early voting on November 25.

This marks the beginning of an important journey — not just for those in Sabah, but also for thousands of Sabahans who now live, work, and study across the South China Sea, yet remain deeply connected to their homeland.

Vote Wisely has recently launched a petition to the EC urging for the creation of a new voting category for Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

Currently, the EC recognises three categories of postal or advance voting:
1. Category 1A – SPR Officers, Election Officials, Media Personnel, Police, and Armed Forces
2. Category 1B – Malaysian citizens residing overseas (foreign postal voters)
3. Category 1C – Members and staff of government-approved agencies or organisations

While these cover many voters, they exclude a growing group of Sabahans who are temporarily or permanently based in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak — people who want to vote, but face real barriers in returning home or accessing alternatives.

A recent post on Vote Wisely’s TikTok channel, Vote.Sabah, has gained over 70,000 views in less than 24 hours after AirAsia announced a one-way RM299 ticket for Sabahans returning to vote.

But instead of celebration, the reaction was one of frustration and disappointment.

For many, the RM299 fare only covers one way — and the return journey often costs double or more after adding taxes and fees. For working-class Sabahans, this is an impossible expense.

Many work in sectors like retail, factories, hospitality, and healthcare, where getting time off is difficult, especially during the election period. Families with school-age children or teenagers who are also first-time voters face even higher costs — a return trip home to vote could cost thousands of ringgits.

And yet, these Sabahans are not indifferent. They want to vote. They want their voices heard. But for many, the cost and logistics are simply too heavy to bear.

Vote Wisely Project’s petition to the EC and the government calls for compassion, fairness, and inclusion through these key steps:
1. Create a fourth voting category — Category 1D: Sabahans residing, working, or studying in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak— to officially recognise this group.
2. Reduce travel costs — consider government or airline partnerships to subsidise or discount return fares, not just one-way promotions.
3. Expand postal and early voting options for this group, especially for those who cannot travel back due to work or family obligations.
4. Explore remote or digital voting solutions (as seen in other democracies) or allow early voting at EC offices and selected institutions in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

“We understand that the Prime Minister’s approval is still needed before the EC can introduce flexible arrangements for Sabah. But this window of opportunity for meaningful change is still open — and we urge leaders to act before it closes,” said Angie S Chin, Project Lead, Vote Wisely.

The EC has extended postal voting applications for Categories 1B and 1C until 27 October 2025, but has yet to decide on the proposed new category for Sabahans in the Peninsular.

“There is still time — and still hope — to make sure that no Sabahan is denied their constitutional right to vote because of financial or logistical barriers.

“If we fail to act, thousands of Sabahans may be silenced by circumstance, not by choice,” said Angie.

“To the EC, the Prime Minister, and the Federal Government — this is more than an administrative issue. It is a matter of fairness, belonging, and national unity.

“Give Sabahans away from home a way to participate. Recognise their sacrifices, ease their burdens, and honour their desire to shape the future of the state they still call home.

“Because every vote matters. Every Sabahan matters. And democracy is strongest when no one is left behind,” she added.