Teo (second left) presents the memorandum to EC Sarawak deputy director Suriani Saruji (third right). Also seen are (from left) PKR Mambong branch chairman Willie Mongin, LK4C co-director Saifulnizam Sam and DTTG representative Douglas Las.
KUCHING: Bersih Sarawak has submitted a memorandum to the state Election Commission (EC) as part of a nationwide effort by Bersih 2.0 and its coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGO) in demanding for electoral reforms.
Bersih 2.0 state vice chairperson Ann Teo said they are also requesting for a dialogue session with the state EC director to further discuss the reforms.
“The purpose of the memorandum is to draw EC’s attention to two reforms that are urgent and important for Sarawakian and Sabahan voters. These reforms are absentee voting and automatic voter registration.
“If implemented before the 14th general election (GE14), it would be able to enfranchise Sarawakian and Sabahan voters,” she said in a press conference at the state EC office in Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, here yesterday.
The memorandum was endorsed by Rise of Sarawak Efforts (Rose), Ikram Sarawak, Lawyer Kamek 4 Change (LK4C), Bersih Sibu, SAVE Rivers, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), Dayak Think Tank Group (DTTG), People’s Association for Development and Education of Penan (Pade), Teori Timur and several political parties.
Teo pointed out that at the launch of the Absentee Voting Campaign by Bersih 2.0 on Sept 21, it was revealed that an estimated 150,000 registered voters from Sabah and Sarawak reside in Malaysia.
“Although we do not have the figures of Peninsular Malaysians and Sabahans studying and working here in Sarawak, we believe it is no small number either. It is no secret that due to the prohibitive costs of travel, Sarawakians normally ‘reserve’ their paid leave and finances to come back home to see family during festive seasons like Christmas and Gawai only.
“We support the call for this group of people, who are civilians ‘out-of-region’, to opt in as absentee voters, as it would go a long way to boost the (voter) turnout for Sarawak which, in 2013, was the lowest in the country at 75 per cent.”
Teo said Bersih Sarawak holds the view that it is the constitutional duty of the EC to realise the voting rights of all Malaysians and, in this particular instance, the votes of each and every Sarawakian who reside outside their home state.
As for automatic voter registration, Teo said Bersih Sarawak was also very concerned that those between the ages of 21 and 30 are not registering themselves as voters.
“Nationwide, 2.5 million young people are estimated to have not registered to vote. For Sarawak, we believe that of the 400,000 who have yet to register (to vote), two-thirds are those from the 21-to-30 years age bracket.
“It is imperative now for the EC to look into this reform, which we believe is possible to implement in a very short time. To supplement its effectiveness, the EC should also strategise and carry out voter education campaigns, including on importance of voting. Hence we call upon EC to immediately adopt the recommendation.”
Teo also urged those who have yet to register themselves as voters to do so at the nearest post office before Sept 30 in order to have an opportunity to vote in GE14.
“If you believe and stand with us that every Sarawakian’s right to vote must be real and tangible or accessible, we urge East Malaysians who are residing in Peninsular Malaysia and members of the public to sign Bersih’s online petition at http://tiny.cc/undiluarkawasan.”