The NGOs urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to state whether he supported the proposal, which had recently been renewed by PKR’s Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung and Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau.

They said this facility should be extended to Sarawakians living in Peninsular Malaysia, who would be voting in the next Sarawak state election, which must be held by April 2027.

“The fact is that many Sabah and Sarawak voters migrate to the peninsula only because of insufficient employment and educational opportunities in their home states,” they said in a joint statement.

The groups said out-of-state Sabahans should not be forced to change their voting address as they may have no heritage link or long-term interest in the peninsula.

On the other hand, returning to Sabah to cast their ballots would be a costly affair involving both air and land travel fees, especially if they come from remote areas.

They said this could lead to some Sabahans deciding not to vote due to financial constraints.

“If the EC cannot deliver this important reform in the upcoming state election, we urge all parties contesting to promise in their manifesto to demand that Putrajaya realise the right of Sabah voters residing in the peninsula to vote via early or postal vote.”

The joint statement was also signed by Projek Sama, Tindak, Engage and Rise of Social Efforts Sarawak.

Earlier this year, Sabah PKR chairman Mustapha Sakmud also called for the EC to allow postal voting for Sabahans living outside the state.

In 2022, the EC said it had no plans to expand postal voting for Sabah and Sarawak voters residing in Peninsular Malaysia.

The 17th Sabah state election must be held by Dec 5 at the latest following the state assembly’s dissolution on Oct 6.