PRESS STATEMENT:
WARISAN URGES REMOTE VOTING FOR SABAHANS
IN PENISULAR AHEAD OF GE 16
KOTA
KINABALU — Parti Warisan today called on the Sabah State Government
to hold immediate discussions with the Federal Government to enable
Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia to fulfil their voting
responsibilities in the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16) without
having to return to their home state.
The
call was made by Kapayan State Assemblyman, Chin Tek Ming, who said
he had received various feedback from residents in Penampang
regarding the difficulties they face in returning to Sabah to vote.
According
to him, among the main constraints are high travel costs and work
commitments that make it difficult for Sabahans living away from home
to return during state and general elections.
“Airfares
and land transportation costs are expensive, and the reluctance of
employers to grant at least three working days of leave are major
obstacles for them to return and vote,” he said.
Chin
also stressed that the state government under the leadership of
Hajiji Noor must prioritise the democratic rights of Sabahans,
including those living outside the state.
“The
State Government must ensure that the rights of Sabahans to determine
both the State and Federal Governments are prioritised by enabling
them to vote in their respective constituencies from Peninsular
Malaysia,” he added.
He
also compared the situation with practices in neighbouring countries.
“If
the Indonesian Government can allow its citizens to vote overseas,
including in Sabah, surely the Sabah State and Federal Governments
are capable of implementing a similar method for Sabahans in
Peninsular Malaysia.”
Chin
further stated that he would bring the matter to the upcoming State
Legislative Assembly sitting.
“I
will raise this issue at the next State Assembly meeting and hope
that parties within the GRS coalition government will support this
call,” he said.
Meanwhile,
Warisan Strategic Communications Director, Christopher Masudal, also
supported Chin’s call and urged parties represented in the GRS
coalition cabinet to jointly champion the issue.
“If
we hold power, then we should ensure that the rights and welfare of
Sabahans are always safeguarded, not only in terms of development but
also in the country’s democratic process,” he said.
He
also called on parties in the state government to demonstrate
consistency in advocating for the rights of Sabahans living away from
home.
“Almost
all component parties in the GRS coalition government speak about
Sabah rights and welfare, but none have consistently fought for the
rights of Sabahans living away from the state to choose their
government,” he said.
Christopher
described the current situation as unfair to Sabahans working and
residing in Peninsular Malaysia.
“It
is clearly unjust if Sabahans are continuously required to pay taxes,
duties and levies, including income tax, yet their right to vote
without affecting their finances and employment is not given due
attention,” he added.
The
issue of remote voting is expected to become a key topic of debate
ahead of GE16, particularly concerning the democratic rights of
Sabahans and Sarawakians living outside their home states.
YB Chin Tek Ming
Kapayan State Assemblyman
6 APRIL 2026
