PETALING JAYA: With some 200,000 Sabahans living and working in Peninsular Malaysia – including 20,000 federal civil servants – the question remains whether many will fly home to cast their ballots on Nov 29, even as airlines are offering cheaper fares for this purpose.
Analysts say the return of outstation Sabahans will be meaningful but structural barriers still discourage them.
Universiti Malaya’s Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the 200,000 voters could have an impact and be “king makers” if all voted.
“Many of the state seats in Sabah were won by only between 1,000 and 3,000 votes.
“They can be the deciding votes for at least eight to 10 marginal seats,” he said when contacted.
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He said a majority of Sabahans working in the peninsula are unlikely to return home to vote owing to factors such work commitment and airfare.
“A small group of professionals well-versed in the politics in Sabah on issues such as MA63 and corruption may return to vote if the seats are highly contested and influenced by family or friends.
“Young voters such as university students may also be able to take advantage of the cheaper flight tickets and could become the swing votes,” he said.
Engage chairman Thomas Fann said parties are fighting for visibility in a crowded field of nearly 600 candidates.
“Sabah voters are less hung up on party loyalty than on local credibility. Fragmentation means even small swings in local sentiment can decide a seat,” he said.
On outstation voters, Fann said the turnout of the 200,000 Sabahans in the peninsula has historically been low and is unlikely to shift outcomes.
“With Polling Day on Nov 29, it is just almost a month to the Christmas holidays and not many will be motivated to take such a long leave,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that the EC (Election Commission) did not classify these peninsula-based voters as absentee voters... such a measure would have enfranchised almost 20% of Sabahans.”
Still, Fann urged those who can afford it to fly home.
“Voting is not only a fundamental right. If young Sabahans can afford the cost of flying back to vote, they should,” he said, adding that long-term reform is needed.
“Setting up voting centres in every state in Peninsular Malaysia for advance voting is the best way to enfranchise East Malaysian voters,” he said.
Prof James Chin said the EC should have allowed Sabahans in the peninsula to vote where they reside.
“Malaysia is quite a developed country. This should not have happened in the first place. The EC could have allowed Sabahans living outside Sabah, especially in the peninsula, to vote there.
“But for political reasons, they refused to do it. That should be the logical way instead of forcing people to fly back,” he added.
While the promotional fares help, Prof Chin, who is with University of Tasmania, said the cost burden is real.
“No matter how cheap the flights are, it is still considered expensive to some, especially if you’re flying out to just vote.
“If you can afford it, you should,” he said, adding that some may extend their stay to enjoy a break in Sabah.
He said the return of outstation voters will be more symbolic than decisive.
“It shows people’s commitment to the vote... but I doubt very much they will make a difference in the actual seat itself,” he said, noting that voters are dispersed across constituencies.
Bersih chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said initiatives that ease travel home are welcome.
“The people of Sabah should take advantage because voting is an important right in a democracy,” he said.
But he emphasised that the bigger issue is access.
“The EC should facilitate advance voting or at least include them in postal voting,” he added.
