Civil movement lauds Sarawakians overseas for returning home to vote

KUCHING: Over one million Sarawakians or 61 per cent of the total electorate cast their votes during the 15th general election (GE15), says the Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE).

According to the nongovernmental organisation (NGO), among the parliamentary seat in Sarawak that recorded the lowest turnout rates were Baram at 50 per cent, Kapit at 49 per cent, and Limbang at 47 per cent.

“We congratulate Sarawakian voters, many of whom despite the high costs of airfares and transportation, had returned home from Peninsula or overseas to vote. Others did more than just voted. They volunteered as polling agents, counting agents or as campaigners. Others contributed financially to nonpartisan initiatives to help students go home to vote such as our #JuhBalitNgundi initiative.

“Yet others volunteered as ‘flyers’ to bring home postal ballots from overseas Sarawakian and some as domestic flyers within Sarawak.

“Ordinary citizens stepped up as local runners to bring these ballots to their destinations at the office of respective returning officers in time to be counted by 5pm on polling day,” ROSE said in a statement yesterday.

ROSE said an estimated 74 per cent of the country’s electorate or more than 15.6 million voters had exercised their democratic rights on Nov 19.

“After the historic GE15, we faced a hung parliament as no coalition obtained a majority of seats necessary to form the government. Nevertheless, after five days of relative peace postelection, Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister was finally installed on Nov 24,” it said.

ROSE congratulated Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his appointment as the country’s new prime minister.

It hoped that the new prime minister would have wisdom and strength in the days ahead.

“The new government must also get down to the business of formulating and implementing policies that are people-centric and for the common good including steering the nation from a worsening economy,” it said.

ROSE stated that Opposition leaders and members of Parliament must also be allowed to play their role by competing on policy levels including the formation of a shadow cabinet.

“In these days of multi-party democracy, parties must view and conduct themselves as competitors and rivals (instead of enemies).

“Ultimately as the Malaysian electorate becomes smarter and more empowered they will determine each party’s fate in the next election,” ROSE added.

We congratulate Sarawakian voters, many of whom despite the high costs of airfares and transportation, had returned home from Peninsula or overseas to vote.

— Rise of Social Efforts