Instead of finding ways to subsidise Sarawakians to return and vote in the 15th general election (GE15), the Sarawak GPS Government should have used their position n government to compel the Election Commission (EC) to introduce all necessary electoral reforms before the upcoming general election, including absentee voting for Sabahans and Sarawakians living in areas outside the two regions.
While, I may welcome the move if this promise is fulfilled, but real electoral reforms would have more long term effect, rather than merely a short term gap measure, which comes at a financial cost as well to the region.
This is something I have been pushing for since the beginning to protect the rights of East Malaysians to vote and facilitate their participation in the democratic process. Right to vote is not just a right for the rich or those that can afford to fly back to vote.
When the EC meets on the 20th October, on top of announcing the election dates itself, the should announce reforms to allow Sarawakians and Sabahans to vote without the need to spend thousands just to travel all the way to exercise their fundamental rights.
This is one of the reason that I think an early dissolution that was forced unto the people due to selfish politicians in power especially during this monsoon season, is not beneficial also to Sarawak or even Sabah.
The Law Minister YB Wan Junaidi himself in a reply to my question in Parliament on this issue, says that they may be looking into it.
Imagine if GPS had not go along with the wishes of UMNO to have an early election, such reforms could have been prioritised to be put in place for the benefit of Sarawakians and Sabahans before elections are called.
All of these reforms and many more could have been done before elections are being called to ensure it is safer, fairer and easier for more voters to be part of the electoral process.
It is estimated that up to 20 per cent of eligible Sabahan and Sarawakian voters are living and working in Peninsular Malaysia.
Many Malaysians, including Sabahans and Sarawakians, are compelled to find jobs far from their homes due to unequal economic development among the states.
Such reforms are important to encourage more voter participation, especially for elections held in Sabah and Sarawak.
They should not be further burdened financially or put at risk especially during a pandemic by having to travel back to their constituencies just to exercise their fundamental right to vote.