KOTA KINABALU – Amid the supportive voices for automatic voter registration, a Sabah party has gone in the opposite direction, saying the process should instead be done manually to safeguard the democratic process.
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president cum secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong We Kong said although the party supports Undi18, voter registration should be done manually to avoid foul play – which is common in the state.
“Sabah’s electoral rolls have been known to be ‘polluted’ with phantom voters and dubious identity cards (ICs).
“The presence of large numbers of illegal immigrants in Sabah is also a worrying factor, which is one of the pressing issues that need to be resolved urgently,” he said in a statement today.
“The party does not want the possibility of abuse in the democratic process.
“Sabah is not ready for automatic registration of Undi18 – not until the issues of phantom voters, dubious MyKads, and illegal immigrants have been resolved. Voting rights must be guarded in order for people to elect the government of their choice.”
Yong said SAPP has been pushing for the issuance of state ICs as the solution for the dodgy MyKad issue, as Sabah ICs would be issued only to genuine Malaysians in the state.
“We want the Election Commission (EC) to provide briefings to political parties on their implementation plans for the registration of new voters before they start doing it,” he added.
In September, law minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the EC remains committed to fulfilling the implementation of Undi18 by December 31, despite numerous challenges and time constraints.
Wan Junaidi said as per the decision of the Kuching High Court earlier, the EC is in the midst of preparing amendments to Article 119 of the federal constitution with regard to the minimum age for voting and automatic voter registration.
On September 3, the Kuching High Court ruled that the government must implement Undi18 and the related amendments by December 31, following a judicial review application.
The decision comes after Sarawakian youth initiated a judicial review action against the prime minister, federal government, and the EC.
This would allow eight million new voters aged between 18 and 20 to take part in the 15th general election expected to be held next year. – The Vibes, November 6, 2021
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