MoHE, EC urged to resolve exam and convocation clash with Sabah polls

KOTA KINABALU: Kota Belud Member of Parliament Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis has raised serious concern over the scheduling conflict between the 17th Sabah state election and final examinations at polytechnics as well as Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) convocation ceremonies.

Isnaraissah warned that the overlap could leave hundreds or even thousands of Sabah students across the country in a difficult position — forced to choose between fulfilling their academic obligations or exercising their constitutional right to vote.

She stressed that the issue goes beyond logistics, touching on the fundamental democratic rights of Malaysians.

“We should be making it easier for young people to participate in democracy, not putting obstacles in their way,” she said, adding that such conflicts risk discouraging voter participation among young Sabahans.

She called on the Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) to reschedule key academic events nationwide in respect of the electoral process and urged the Election Commission (EC) to improve coordination with relevant stakeholders, including MoHE, to prevent similar overlaps in the future.

Isnaraissah also appealed to MoHE, polytechnics, UiTM, and other higher learning institutions to exercise flexibility and consideration to ensure Sabah students can fulfil both their academic and civic duties without having to sacrifice one for the other.

“We teach our students to be responsible citizens,” she said. “Let’s not punish them when they try to be one.”