Voters’ constituencies changed without their knowledge, claims Warisan
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) has urged the Election Commission (EC) to explain the reason behind the change of voting constituencies amongst the voters in the State.
According to Warisan vice president Junz Wong, who is also Likas assemblyman, voters had recently come forth to highlight that their voting constituencies had been changed without notification in the EC system.
He added that the voters wished to cast their votes in their original constituencies with their respective family members.
“We are a bit concerned about the recent complaints that we have received from the voters, especially in Likas,” said Junz, whilst showing a printed copy of the voters’ updated details.
“They are from Likas. In the 2013 general elections, they both cast their votes in Likas but when they recently checked their latest status, one had been moved to Karambunai and the other to Inanam, without them knowing.
“We demand for an explanation from EC because we are a bit worried. I hope this is not politically motivated and done to help the ruling government,” he added.
Junz stressed the delineation exercise should not be used as an excuse for the sudden changes made on the people’s voting location, especially since the voters did not even request for it.
“I want the general public or voters to be alerted and aware of what’s happening on the development of this issue and also to now do regular checks on their voting status,” he emphasized.
“A lot of voters might go to their previous voting locations during the upcoming general elections, only to find that their names are no longer listed for that constituency.
“If any of them face a similar issue of being moved without them requesting for it, like these two cases, please come to us, please refer to us. We want to compile a list and submit to EC,” added Junz.
The Likas assemblyman said Likas and Kota Kinabalu folk can contact +6012 874 1336, whilst voters in other areas of Sabah can contact +6012 802 0065 to make a formal complaint regarding their voting status with Warisan Sabah.
“At the same time, we would also like to call upon EC to do its job and set up more mobile vans, stations and counters in shopping malls and hotspots,” said Junz.
“This is to assist people in checking their voting status and also to help them register for the voting in the coming general elections,” he stressed.
Warisan has called on the state government to look into the increasing price of ice sold to fishing boats and fishmongers here before it affects the people.
According to Junz, his findings revealed that Sabah Fish Marketing (SAFMA) Sdn Bhd’s privatized company had sold a bag of around 50kg worth of ice at RM9 last year.
However, he said the price increased to RM10 in January 2017 and RM11.50 in March.
Junz stressed that this had caused a domino effect of price increase among other ice sellers.
“They also follow the SAFMA price benchmark and increased the price of their ice,” he said.
“Now the privatized company is actually putting up a notice to say that the price of ice will be increased to RM12 starting April 1,” he elaborated.
Junz highlighted that the actual price of ice will be RM12.50 per bag with the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“This is another worrying trend and we want the Community Development and Consumer Affairs Ministry, which is helmed by Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, to step in,” he said.
“This will eventually increase the operational cost of the fishing boats and at the end of the day, it will be passed down to the consumers,” he pointed out.
The Warisan vice president disclosed that a block of ice, weighing around 120 kg, is sold at RM14 in Tawau, however, the same related companies are selling it at a higher price here.
“The people need a reason. We have all the evidence and we are more than willing to submit it to the ministry,” he said.
“We want the ministry to tell us why this is happening and how to control these prices.
“There is no reason for indiscriminate increase in the price of ice, especially with a monopolistic company involved,” he added.
Junz also highlighted that all ice vendor companies should issue receipts to customers.