KOTA KINABALU: Employers, including government agencies, should grant special leave to Sabahans working in Peninsular Malaysia so they can return home to vote in the upcoming state election, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The Warisan president said voting must be made as accessible as possible, especially for those who have left the state in search of employment opportunities, adding that many Sabahans working in factories, restaurants and hotels in Peninsular Malaysia should be allowed to return home to vote.
“I hope employers can give special leave without it affecting their pay. They too have the right to vote,” he said during a press conference at the Warisan office in Kolombong here on Friday (Oct 17).
The 17th Sabah state election has been set for Nov 29, with Nomination Day on Nov 15.
Shafie also hoped airlines would consider lowering airfares to help Sabahans return home to cast their ballots.
“I have spoken to some of them (airline representatives) and suggested lowering the rates for those flying back to Sabah to vote,” he said, adding that many Sabahans were scattered across the country and even overseas in search of jobs.
He said that proposals for postal voting for Sabahans residing in the peninsula have been raised many times before but were never implemented, forcing many to forgo their voting rights due to the high costs of travel.
“Some of them are civil servants, and many are young Sabahans who left home to find work or study. They should not have to choose between earning a living and exercising their democratic right,” he said.
He said the participation of all eligible voters, particularly the younger generation, was vital to shaping Sabah’s future and strengthening democracy.
“This election is not about my future or anyone else’s – it’s about theirs. The young generation must decide the kind of Sabah they want to build,” he said.
Shafie also announced that several former leaders from Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and PKR had joined Warisan, describing it as a sign of growing unity among Sabahans ahead of the state election.
Among those who joined were Datuk William Majinbon, a former PBS supreme council member, and Chrisnadia Sinam, former PKR Tuaran information chief and Women’s Wing deputy chief. They were accompanied by about 30 PBS division members and 50 PKR members from Tuaran.
He said the move marked a step forward that reflected the unity of Sabahans from all backgrounds and reaffirmed Warisan’s identity as a multiracial party built on trust and shared purpose.
