Exorbitant flight prices
The CSO Platform for Reform (Sarawak Chapter) is shocked at the drastic spike in flight ticket prices, whether it is from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak, or Sabah to Sarawak.
The airlines should consider and understand the burden and difficulties faced by Sarawakians who want to return to their home state for the state election next month. The exorbitant ticket prices will make it almost impossible for Sarawakians to travel to the state to cast their votes.
Additionally, the Election Commission (EC) has not made any provisions for Sarawakians residing out of state in other parts of West Malaysia or Sabah to vote as an absentee voter despite numerous calls by civil society and political parties.
No timelines were also given despite the EC itself having set up a committee in 2019 to look into the reform of absentee voting.
Before this, there are already issues on flight delays, retiming and cancellation that have inconvenienced passengers who have purchased tickets for personal or business matters. It incurs a loss of time and money, especially for Sarawakians who might be facing financial difficulties.
Election monitoring
And, as part of a healthy and robust democracy, election monitors must be allowed to monitor the entire election process, and to ensure that the election candidates, political parties, or the public at large adhere to the Election Offences Act 1954.
Through its statement sighted on the EC’s website, one of the eligibility requirements that the EC stated is that “only individuals residing in Sarawak” are eligible to apply as election observers. This is unprecedented, and undemocratic to limit the election observers to only individuals with a Sarawak residential address to apply as “election observers” under the EC.
We urge the airline companies to justify and clarify to members of the public, especially Sarawakians, on the drastic spike of ticket prices in light of the state election.
We call on the federal government, particularly Transport Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong, to intervene in keeping with the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Control (SDMC) also needs to approve more flights to Sarawak. As a responsible family, the state and federal governments should urge airline companies to be more responsible and not punish citizens who want to exercise their right to vote.
We call on the EC to immediately allow observers from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia to apply and participate actively in the election monitoring, in accordance with Covid-19 safety measures, of the upcoming 12th Sarawak election to ensure an election that is clean, free and fair.
The right to vote is a constitutional and basic right of every citizen, and this time around, it feels as though our rights are being undermined. – The Vibes, November 27, 2021
