Sabah party wants EC to allow Sabahan, Sarawakian voters residing in Malaya to vote via postal ballot in general and state elections

KOTA KINABALU, June 20 2026:  Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has submitted a letter to the Sabah Election Commission (EC) office, urging the immediate implementation of electoral reforms to enable Sabahans and Sarawakians residing outside their respective states to vote via postal ballot in general and state elections.

Caption: Lawyer Yong Yit Jee (third from left), a SAPP Supreme Council Member and Deputy Youth leader handing over a letter to a representative of the Sabah Election Commission

The letter calls on the EC to amend the Election Act 1958 and related regulations to enable Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia for employment or education to exercise their voting rights via postal ballot, without having to bear the financial and logistical burden of physically returning to their respective states to vote.

“Currently, Malaysians residing abroad are allowed to vote via postal ballot facilities. However, many Malaysians working elsewhere in the country, especially Sabahans and Sarawakians working or studying in Peninsular Malaysia, still face various obstacles in exercising their voting rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution” SAPP Youth said in a statement yesterday.

It stressed that the issue has a greater impact on Sabah and Sarawak voters as the cost of air travel between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia, especially during election seasons, is often prohibitive.

It added many Sabahans and Sarawakians are keen to exercise their democratic responsibilities, but expensive airfares, work commitments, and limited leave often make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to return home to vote.

“Democracy should not be dependent on one’s ability to afford a return flight ticket solely to vote. Participation in the democratic process should be fairly accessible to all Malaysians regardless of where they work or study in the Federation.

“In today’s modern Malaysia, interstate migration for work and education is increasingly common. Therefore, the electoral framework also needs to evolve in line with current changes.

“Expanding postal vote eligibility will strengthen voter participation, increase electoral inclusivity, and better reflect the realities of modern society.

“Malaysia already has a postal vote mechanism and voter verification system in place. Therefore, extending this facility to domestic voters outside their respective states of origin is practical and administratively feasible.

“With the 16th General Election potentially being held any time in the near future, SAPP is of the view that reforms relating to voter accessibility need to be addressed without further delay to ensure that Sabahans and Sarawakians who work or study outside their home states are not treated unfairly in exercising their constitutionally guaranteed voting rights.

“In this regard, SAPP urges the EC to seriously consider this proposal ahead of the upcoming General Election and State Elections in order to create a more inclusive, accessible and truly representative democratic process for all Malaysians,” SAPP Youth said.