Press Releases

KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) has announced that the 12th Sarawak Election will take place on 18 December 2021, with the Nomination Day taking place on 6 December 2021 and Early Voting is to be held on 14 December 2021.

Exorbitant Flight Prices
The CSO Platform for Reform (Sarawak Chapter) is shocked at the drastic spike in flight ticket prices, whether it is from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak, or Sabah to Sarawak. The airline companies should consider and understand the burden and difficulties faced by Sarawakians who want to return to their home state for the state election next month. The exorbitant ticket prices will make it almost impossible for Sarawakians to travel back to Sarawak to cast their votes. Additionally, the Election Commission has not made any provisions for Sarawakians residing out of state in other parts of West Malaysia or Sabah to vote as an absentee voter despite numerous calls by civil society and political parties. No timelines were also given despite EC itself having set up a committee in 2019 to look into the reform of Absentee Voting. Before this, there are already issues on flight delays, retiming and cancellation that have inconvenienced passengers who have purchased tickets for personal or business matters. It incurs a loss of time and money, especially for Sarawakians who might be facing financial difficulties.

Election Monitoring
And, as part of a healthy and robust democracy, election monitors have been allowed to monitor the entire election process, and to ensure that the election candidates, political parties, or the public at large adhere to the Election Offences Act 1954. Through its statement1 sighted on the EC’s website, one of the eligibility requirements that the EC stated is that “only individuals residing in Sarawak” are eligible to apply as election observers. This is unprecedented, and undemocratic to limit the election observers to only individuals with Sarawak residential address to apply as ‘Pemerhati Pilihanraya’ under the EC.

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