By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Jan 20: The Indonesia Consul-General in Kuching Raden Sigit Witjaksono urges the 64,900 registered Indonesian voters in Sarawak to exercise their democratic rights by participating in the early voting for the 2024 presidential election on Feb 11.
Expressing the Indonesian government’s desire for a 50 per cent voter turnout in Sarawak during the fifth general election in Indonesia, scheduled for Feb 14, Raden revealed that there are over 1.7 million registered Indonesian voters living abroad, with more than 400,000 residing in Malaysia, predominantly in Peninsula Malaysia.
The upcoming Indonesia presidential election also coincides with the legislative election for the House of Representatives, the Senate, and local legislative councils throughout Indonesia.
“Indonesians in Sarawak can cast their votes at various designated locations, including Kuching, Lawas, Limbang, Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, and other districts as specified by the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
“Election workers would be appointed by the Consulate on Jan 26 and distributed to 153 locations across Sarawak to assist in the election operation,” he told reporters after officiating the Appreciation Day of the 75th Anniversary of Indonesia Immigration Department held at the Indonesia Consul-General in Kuching office today.
In Kuching, Raden detailed that the Consulate General of Indonesia in Kuching will be utilised for the upcoming elections with around 3,000 registered voters expected.
“To ensure a smooth voting process, five counters will be set up,” he said.
Addressing employers in Sarawak with Indonesian workers as registered voters, Raden called on them to facilitate their employees’ participation in the voting process.
He added that the Consulate had informed the Sarawak State Secretary and local authorities about the election operation to request assistance in ensuring the safety and smooth operations on polling day.
“We are holding early voting on Feb 11 as it is a Sunday, and we hope many of our citizens will come forward to cast their votes and determine the destiny of both our people and country,” he urged.
The ballot papers are scheduled to be counted at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Feb 14. — DayakDaily
