By Faisal Asyraf
PETALING JAYA — A Sarawak Church has raised RM30,000 to sponsor flights for students from public and private universities and colleges to return to East Malaysia to vote in the 15th general election (GE15).
The Methodist Church in Malaysia Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference spokesman Nicholas Tan said the Church aimed to raise more funds to help as many students as possible to travel from the peninsula to Sarawak and Sabah.
He said so far more than 1,000 students have applied through the “Jom Balik Mengundi 2.0” campaign.
“In the last general election (GE14), we were able to help 600 students, but this time the number of applications is overwhelming due to Undi18.
“Many first-year and second-year students have applied,” he told FMT.
Since last December all Malaysians aged 18 and above are eligible to vote, as they are automatically registered as voters with their constituency being based on the address in their MyKad.
According to Tan, the initiative is also open to students in Sabah and Sarawak and who wish to return to the peninsula to cast their ballot.
He said priority would be given to students who are unable to afford flight tickets, adding that the initiative is open to all tertiary students, regardless of race or religion.
Since funds are limited, Tan said applications would be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
He also invited more Malaysians to come forward and help make the initiative a success. However, he noted that donations from political parties are not welcome.
Anyone interested in donating can do so via bank transfer to the Miri District Conference of Methodist Church’s Hong Leong Bank account 25500017529. Proof of transactions can be sent to 013-2582833.
GE15 will take place on Nov 19, with nomination day on Nov 5 and early voting set for Nov 15.
NGOs, activists and some politicians from Sabah and Sarawak have long called for the Election Commission (EC) to accord Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in the peninsula the same rights as Malaysians overseas by allowing them to submit a postal vote.
–FMT
