The choice of date by the Election Commission for the polling date that falls on a midweek workday (Wednesday, May 9) runs foul against the spirit of the general election.
However, as this is the final push for a Malaysian Tsunami, I strongly urge all employers and employees to make May 9 an important day off from work so that the nation could rally together for the sake of its future.
Under Section 25 of the Elections Act 1958, “every employer shall, on polling day, allow every elector in his employ a reasonable period for voting, and no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such elector or impose upon or exact from him any penalty by reason of his absence during such period.”
Any employer who fails to provide the employee time to fulfil their obligations as citizens of this country will be liable to a fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment for one (1) year.
For the past six decades or more, the government has always encouraged Malaysians to cast their votes.
Malaysians residing overseas would return to the country at their own expenses to fulfil their obligations as the citizens of this country. Others who are working outstation would also return to their respective constituencies in order to cast their votes.
The vote of every individual counts. Yet, the choice of date by the Election Commission is clearly not in line with the spirit of the polls since Merdeka.
Having it on a Wednesday means our Sabahan and Sarawakian brothers and sisters would find it difficult to return to their own states to cast their votes. They would have to apply for a longer leave in order to return home.
I therefore urge Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to change the date of the general election to a Saturday either on the 5th or 12th of May, 2018.
Or, else employers will find it difficult to run their business during that week when most of their staff will be taking leave to return to their hometown.
At the same time, I also urge all fellow Malaysians not to be easily discouraged by the choice of date. They should make it a point to cast their votes and show the Barisan Nasional caretaker government that ultimately it is the overpowering PEOPLE TSUNAMI that they should now fear.