PETALING JAYA: Employers are requested to grant Indonesian employees leave from work in order to cast their votes for the 2024 Indonesian presidential election.
While the republic is set to go to the polls on Feb 14, 2024, Indonesian voters living abroad will be casting their ballots on Feb 11, which is also the second day of Chinese New Year in Malaysia.
Although Feb 11 is a Sunday and a public holiday, some workers still need to work, especially those in the domestic sector and cleaning, said Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono.
He said that was the reason that Indonesia's Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah during her visit to Malaysia on Saturday (Oct 21) called upon employers to allow their workers time off to cast their votes.
“That's the reason the Minister requested all employers to allow their workers to go to polling stations.
“Participating in general elections is everybody's political right stipulated in our law,” he said when contacted on Sunday (Oct 22).
Hermono added that the voter turnout, which usually falls between 25% and 30% in previous elections, were expected to be higher in the upcoming election as Indonesians will be electing a new president.
“I encourage all Indonesian workers in Malaysia to exercise their political rights because every single vote may determine the future leader of Indonesia,” he said.
Hermono added that the Malaysian authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police have been notified of the early voting happening on Feb 11.
“Everytime we hold general elections or other activities involving the Indonesian community here, we get full cooperation from Malaysian authorities.
“We are grateful that for the next elections, the police will help us to ensure public order and smooth process,” he said.
