AS the 15th general election (GE15) approaches, Malaysians in Australia are mobilising to return ballots home to Malaysia.
We are calling on everyone to spread the word about the vote-running initiative, and the importance of overseas votes this election.
Malaysia will go to the polls on Saturday, November 19 following an abrupt Parliament dissolution on October 10.
Malaysia has had a tumultuous political landscape since the events of February 2020, and the fate of corrupt politicians is also in question. With floods also expected in both countries, this is poor timing for an election.
Nevertheless, we will grasp the opportunity to elect a government that will prioritise the rakyat’s needs.
To assist more than one million overseas voters taking part in this crucial democratic process, the Malaysian Students Council of Australia (Masca) as part of a global coalition of Malaysian student organisations (MSOs) will deliver the biggest coordinated vote-running exercise in Malaysian electoral history.
Masca is organising in response to barriers overseas Malaysians expect to face in GE15:
1. The need for voters to find witnesses for their ballots
2. Late arrival of ballots to voters, and the high cost of international express post
3. Threat of delays due to flooding
4. Closure of postal voter applications four days after election date announced
“Every vote matters, and we want everybody’s ballot to make it home on time. We are building on our experience from the successful vote runs of GE14,” said Masca’s Ei Lyn Tan.
“Acting in the spirit of democracy, Malaysians from all walks of life, including Masca executives, MSOs, working professionals and retirees, have volunteered to deliver votes back to Malaysia.
“Masca and MSOs throughout Australia have also been providing timely advice on postal vote registration this past October.
“We have also linked up with VoteMalaysia and Undi18, whose volunteers will collect and sort ballots arriving in Kuala Lumpur between November 16 and 17, and distribute them to the correct polling stations.”
In a message to Malaysian voters in Australia, Tan said: “Do not delay. Find a Malaysian to witness your ballot. When your ballot arrives, mark it, get it witnessed, and send it to us.
“If your ballot reaches us by 9am Thursday (November 17), we will get it to your home polling booth.”
Masca has arranged ballot collection points in all states in Australia except the Northern Territory, from November 10 to 17.
There are two ways voters can get their ballots to us:
1. By express post to PO Box 803, South Melbourne VIC 3205. We will clear out this PO Box for our Melbourne runners up till 9am, November 17. For most of Australia, this means you should post by 12pm, November 15.
2. Handing in their ballot in person to a collection point in your state. Locations and hours are available at beacons.ai/mascanational, and on the social media channels of your state’s Masca branch and MSOs.
Voters should visit beacons.ai/mascanational for the most current instructions.
Masca is also organising crowdfunding to fund the postal vote initiative. Proceeds will go towards extra luggage fees, local postage fees, PO Box rental and refreshments for on ground volunteers.
The amount will be disclosed on social media consequently. – The Vibes, November 14, 2022
Donations can be made to the Masca National bank account.
Account Name: Masca National
BSB / Acc No: 063-010 / 1450 5797
Description (Required): UndiAustralia
Reference (Optional): Donor’s name
This statement is endorsed by:
1. Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia (Masca)
2. Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia, Victoria (Masca Victoria)
3. Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia, New South Wales (Masca NSW)
4. Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia, Queensland (Masca Queensland)
5. Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia, ACT (Masca, ACT)
6. Malaysian Students’ Council of Australia, South Australia (Masca, SA)
7. Malaysian Students’ Society (MSS Tasmania)
8. Malaysian Students’ Global Alliance (MSGA)
9. Association of Malaysian Students (AMS Curtin)
10. Malaysian Students’ Organisations at ANU
11. Malaysian Progressives In Australia (MPOZ)
12. Global Bersih Australia
13. Badan Perhubungan Sydney
14. Badan Perhubungan Negara United Kingdom & Eire
15. VoteMalaysia Coalition
16. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia Australia (SABM Australia)
17. Prof James Chin, University of Tasmania
