By Ling Hui
KOTA SAMARAHAN, Oct 26: The Sarawak government will welcome any sponsors to help Sarawakians in Peninsular Malaysia to return to vote in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Whip chief and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice president Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said this when explaining Sarawak Volunteers’ awkward stance in the matter.
He said Sarawak Volunteers, a youth volunteering platform for Sarawakian students all over Malaysia, though is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is often involved with running Sarawak government-related activities.
“So we are concerned that if we manage it (through Sarawak Volunteers), people might say that we are buying votes. It will be an election offence and an issue by law.
“That is why I highly encourage, at the same time, am also looking for whoever is willing to sponsor our (Sarawakian) students to return to vote and we (the Sarawak government) will help to coordinate,” he elaborated.
Meanwhile, Fadillah said the greatest challenge at the moment is the number of flights local airlines can provide until polling day.
The second challenge would be the high airfare costs that will not get any lower due to high demand.
“I was informed that after the negotiations (with airline companies), the cost is still high. MAS (Malaysia Airlines) set the price for one-way tickets at RM550 and AirAsia at RM300. So, AirAsia is cheaper.
“But if we want to bring tens of thousands of Sarawakian students from Peninsular Malaysia, are there enough flights? That’s the question of the day,” he told reporters during the Malaysian Family student tablet handover ceremony in Kota Samarahan here today. — DayakDaily
