Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (Sabar) urged the Election Commission (EC) to introduce a new postal voting category for Sabahans currently residing, working or studying in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, saying it is crucial to protect their constitutional right to vote.
The group said more than 200,000 eligible voters are affected, many of whom face major financial and logistical barriers to returning home during elections.
Sabar said the call was strongly supported by numerous civil society organisations (CSOs), NGOs and concerned individuals, as well as local political parties from both sides of the political divide.
“This is not a partisan issue but one of fairness and inclusion. The EC’s inaction risks denying Sabahans their constitutional right to participate in their own state’s democratic process,” said Sabar in a statement Tuesday.
The Vote Wisely Project, initiated by Sabahan activist Angie S Chin, has also been actively advocating the cause through weekly articles and public awareness campaigns since early this year, urging the EC to take decisive and equitable action.
Sabar pointed out that Regulation 2(3)(1)(e) of the Elections (Postal Voting) Regulations 2003 gives the EC the power to designate “any category of persons” as postal voters through gazette notification – meaning no legislative amendment is needed, only administrative commitment.
“The EC has exercised this authority before. In 2012, postal voting was expanded to include journalists, election workers, and Malaysians overseas. It is only right that the same mechanism now be extended to Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, who are otherwise disenfranchised by geography and cost.”
The group said the demand was neither political nor self-serving, but a moral and constitutional imperative. Denying Sabahans access to the ballot simply because they pursue education or employment elsewhere, it added, contradicts the fundamental principles of equal representation and democratic fairness.
Sabar called on the EC to immediately announce its intention to extend postal voting eligibility to Sabahans living outside the state and to implement the system transparently before the next State Election.
It also urged the Commission to collaborate with State agencies, civil society groups and community leaders to ensure smooth logistics and broad public awareness.
“Every Sabahan deserves the right to decide who governs their home state. We urge the EC to act in good conscience – not with silence, but with action that truly reflects the spirit of democracy.”
