KUCHING, Dec 14: Rise of Social Efforts (Rose) calls on the State Secretary to declare this Saturday (Dec 18) a special public holiday.
In a statement issued today, Rose said this is to further promote and facilitate the exercise of voting rights by all Sarawakian voters.
The non-governmental organisation also called on employers to allow their employees reasonable time off to go out and vote.
“A lot of business establishments in Sarawak remain operational on Saturdays and it is not an off-day for their employees. Members or business entities who are members of all the 23 branches of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sarawak throughout Sarawak also do not have Saturdays as off days.
“Section 25(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954 states that every employer shall on polling day allow any voter in his employ a reasonable period for voting and no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or wages of such voter. It also makes it an offence punishable with a fine of RM5,000 or imprisonment for a year,” read the statement.
Rose also added that it is aware that there are many locals, especially from the more rural districts, who seek a living in areas like Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri.
Thus, they would require time off from work to go home to vote if their polling address is still located in their villages as currently, there are no provisions for any kind of remote voting by the Election Commission (EC) for voters like them.
“Hence, we wish to call on all employers to allow their workers and employees a reasonable time off on polling day to go out to vote if it is a working day for the business or organisation.
“Some may need the day off to travel back to vote. This is how Sarawakian employers and businesses can do their part as responsible members of the business community to uphold participation in democracy by citizens,” it said.
It added that this is especially needed because Sarawakians are voting at a time when everyone acknowledges that having a good, transparent, and accountable government and policies are necessary for managing the effects of the pandemic.
“Additionally, a functional democracy is needed for businesses to build back better in the new norm and to be competitive again.
“Hence, by allowing time off to vote, employers or businesses ensure that every worker gets to exercise their voting rights and participate in democracy.” — DayakDaily
