Malaysians abroad who are keen to vote, if allowed to in the coming 13th
general election, hope for a transparent process and a secure mechanism
from the Election Commission (EC) to avoid allegations such as fraud.
Malaysians living overseas either for work or study have high hopes that
as citizens, they be given equal chance to exercise their voting
rights now that their wish has been looked into, including the formation
of the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform.
“It’s a good move so that every citizen can exercise their rights. The
EC should be more transparent and the move should not invite any sort
of dissatisfaction among voters and political parties involved,” said
Hanif Mohamed Talha, 40, a Malaysian who has been living in Newcastle,
Britain for four years now.
The photographer, whose wife Norfadzlinda Ishak is pursuing her PhD
studies there, told Bernama via email that the EC must ensure that the
voting mechanism be totally secure to avoid fraud and other
irregularities.
Akmar Ismail, 38, a PhD student at Victoria University of Wellington,
New Zealand said the opportunity for Malaysians abroad to vote would
instil patriotism in them and be a good reminder of their roots, apart
from encouraging them to be alert on developments back home.
“When you vote, surely you want something good; benefits for the people,
from the party you choose. Although you are not physically present,
there are your parents, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles back home
who may benefit from the one vote you give. You look at what the ruling
government offers,” she added.
EC
chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was quoted as saying that he did not
suggest that only Malaysians overseas who pay taxes be allowed to do
postal voting, but there might be some regulations that needed to be
fine-tuned.
One could be that they must register as postal voters to be eligible to
vote, he said, adding that other conditions could be the length of time
they stayed overseas and whether they had come back for a visit.
However, PSC chairperson Dr Maximus Ongkili said it was not possible for
Malaysians staying abroad to do postal voting in this coming general
election as there must first be changes in the law and regulations.
“Gov’t should encourage M’sians abroad to vote’
A US-based bank corporate action specialist, Khairil Azhar Junos, said
the Malaysian government should encourage Malaysians abroad to vote in
the coming elections.
“There’s a disconnection between the government and individuals once
they cross the border to live abroad,” said Khairil Azhar, who has been
in the US for almost 15 years.
“I am currently a permanent resident of the US. However, I am still a
proud Malaysian citizen and I always read Malaysian online newspapers to
keep abreast with the current situation back home,” he said.
He also suggested that the government keep Malaysians abroad informed on
the current voting process and how to participate either via secure
email or other online interactive methods.
“The government should enable each citizen to register for online or
mail voting system with proof of passport, MyKad or birth certificate
once they are eligible to vote.
“I hope my vote will secure a spot for my future in the coming
elections. My 1Vote is for 1Malaysia,” he said through an email response
to Bernama.
Faizul Amin Othman, 41, an F&B assistant director at Khaildiya
Palace Rayhaan Hotel in Abu Dhabi and who has been in the United Arab
Emirates for five years, said it would be a welcome move to allow
Malaysians abroad to vote.
“It would be the first time for me to vote since I have been away from
my hometown, Selama, in Perak since I started working. I don’t have any
problem of voting at the Malaysian embassy or do it online,” he said
when met in Abu Dhabi recently.
Meanwhile, Hulu Selangor Member of Parliament P Kamalanathan (left),
who is one of the PSC members, said there had been a lengthy discussion
on the possibility for Malaysians abroad to vote and on postal voters.
“There should be a clear-cut regulation. One of our neighbouring
countries has been implementing a regulation that requires its citizens
to be back home every five years and for 30 days to make them eligible
to vote.
“We agreed to allow postal voting for Malaysians but the opposition representatives were against it,” he said.
Kamalanathan said the opposition was not sincere enough about postal
voting for Malaysians, such as for Sabahans and Sarawakians working in
the peninsula and vice versa, so that they could exercise their voting
rights.
He said the opposition representatives in the PSC pushed for and wanted
Malaysians abroad to vote, but disagreed to let these people vote by
post.
“These people who live, work and pay taxes in Malaysia should be given this right too, and not just Malaysians abroad,” he said.
- Bernama
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