May 9 as polling day not well received by both SUPP, state DAP
KUCHING: The May 9 polling day is not well received by both Sarawak United Peoples’ Party ( SUPP) and state Democratic Action Party ( DAP).
May 9 is a Wednesday when the majority of employed Malaysians have to be on duty.
SUPP Youth chief Michael Tiang said he is very disappointed with the polling date for the 14th general election (GE14) being set on a working day.
He added he was not alone on this because he had received several calls from concerned Sarawakians fol lowing the announcement by the Election Commission ( EC).
The EC yesterday announced April 28 as the nomination of candidates contesting in GE14 and May 9 the polling day.
“I have received numerous phone calls and messages from voters in Sibu who are working in Peninsular Malaysia, since the announcement of the dates by the EC.
“They intend to come home to support SUPP candidate, but are now thinking of aborting their plans of coming home to cast their votes,” he said in a press statement.
Tiang, who is a pol it ical secretary to the chief minister, said he predicted the turnout of this coming election to be low.
“It is not serving the spirit of democracy well.”
State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen also said fixing the polling day on a Wednesday ‘ is another attempt by BN ( Barisan Nasional) to try to cheat in the election’.
He said most Malaysians who are working outside their respective hometowns or places where they cast their votes, are young voters, the majority of whom are supporters of Pakatan Harapan ( PH).
“They are the ones victimised by BN which fi xed the polling day on a Wednesday,” alleged Chong, who is PH Sarawak chairman and national PH vice chairman.
The opposition leader went on to charge that these young voters ‘ are deprived of their constitutional rights to vote’.
“It is obvious that in this GE14, the BN will have no shame and dignity in resorting to all ways to cheat in order to win,” added Chong.