DAPSY Sabah Urges Fair Voting Access for Students and Youth Outside the State

10 October 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sabah has called on the Election Commission (EC) to extend postal voting rights to Sabahans residing in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, citing the need for fairness, accessibility, and broader democratic participation among students and young workers living away from home.

DAPSY Sabah Chief Chan Loong Wei said thousands of Sabahans studying or working elsewhere in Malaysia still vote in their home constituencies but face major financial and logistical challenges when returning to cast their ballots.

“Many Sabahans in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, or Kuching want to fulfil their civic duty, but return flights can easily cost between RM600 and RM1,000. For students and low-income workers, that’s an enormous burden — especially when elections are called at short notice,” Chan said.

He argued that if Malaysians overseas are eligible for postal voting, the same privilege should apply to citizens living within the country.

DAPSY Sabah noted that postal voting is already a proven and reliable system used by Malaysians abroad, as well as by the security forces and government personnel. Extending it to Sabahans and Sarawakians living outside their states, the group said, would be a simple yet significant step towards inclusivity and equal rights.

Chan further urged the EC to modernise and digitalise the voting process by enabling online applications, transparent verification, and secure tracking mechanisms.

“In this digital era, no Malaysian should be denied the right to vote simply because they live far from their polling station,” he said.

He concluded by stressing that democracy must adapt to modern realities.

“In the spirit of Malaysia Madani, the right to vote should not depend on one’s financial means or geographical location. Young Sabahans across the country are eager to contribute to the state’s future, the EC must facilitate, not frustrate, their participation,” Chan said.